Language matters: The Refugee Crisis in Europe

At every IOFA training, we start by exploring the importance of language. We talk about words like the conflation of prostitution and trafficking, victim and survivor, and rescuing and empowering. “Why are we even talking about this?” We spend time exploring the words we use around these issues because they matter.

To paraphrase a bumper sticker, what we think affects what we say, and what we say affects what we do. If we truly want to have the desired effect we purport to work for – empowering survivors to recover from experiences of exploitation so they may live happy, healthy, productive lives of their own choosing –then we need to reflect this mentality through the words we use to discuss it.

Background Context:

During the Arab Spring of 2011 civil unrest began in Syria. President Bashar al-Assad engaged his citizens in a brutal civil war and ISIS, an extremist jihadist militaristic group, used the instability to engage in ethnic cleansing and other crimes against humanity to support their goal of establishing a totalitarian Islamic state.        

As a result of the constant violence and terror, nearly half of Syria’s population – about 11 million people – have been displaced (MercyCorps, 2015). Nearly one-third of the population has been displaced within Syria and another four million or have fled to neighboring countries. Because international agencies were unprepared for a crisis of this magnitude, the refugees were trapped in deplorable conditions without access to basic necessities like food, heat, and medical care.

This summer, desperate Syrians began fleeing to the European Union in numbers not seen since World War II (The European Refugee Crisis and Syria Explained, 2015).

Language:

Reporting on this crisis from some of the most reputable news agencies in the world has confused terminology about this population. Here are some of the key terms that have been conflated:

·         Migrant – A person who moves from one place to another, often in the search of a better life. This term is frequently used in the U.S. to describe agricultural laborers who follow crop harvests (Merriam-Webster, 2015).

·         Immigrant – A person who moves from one country to another to reside permanently (Merriam-Webster, 2015).

·         Refugee – A person who is fleeing persecution, human rights violations, or armed conflict in his or her home country (Merriam-Webster, 2015).

·         Asylee (or asylum seeker) – A person whom meets the criterion of a refugee but is already present in the destination country (UNHCR, 2015). (Note: In the United States asylees do not have to have legal immigration status to apply for protection (VISANOW Global Immigration, 2015.)

·         Some youth arrive in their final destination alone or without adults. In the United States we have special protocols and protections for youth who arrive from non-contiguous countries alone. To learn more, read Adolescents& the Border Crisis (Gallacher, Cutler, 2014).

Although it may not be critical for the average person to understand the technical differences between a refugee and asylum seeker, there is clearly a different between these groups and migrants and immigrants. To refer to refugees and asylees as an immigrant or migrant denies their extreme situations of desperation and the humanitarian and legal obligations we have to respond accordingly.

Similarly, news agencies have continued to conflate the terms ‘smuggling’ and ‘trafficking’ as they describe the manner in which many refugees have crossed borders. These words describe very different experiences that can, and do, overlap. To learn more about the difference between smuggling and trafficking visit https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/what-is-human-trafficking.html.

Language and Self Determination:

All Things Considered, a show broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR) addressed their language choice on this issue during a segment aired on September 24^th. In it, NPR’s Standards Editor defended their choice to use the word ‘migrant’, saying it encompasses all persons entering Europe, which insinuates the term ‘refugee’ is only accurate in some cases. The program also mentions the “I Am A Migrant ” campaign from the International Organization for Migration (IOM).  According to the IOM, a number of clients it serves do not view themselves as refugees, and feel they should have a say in how they’re labeled.

Although IOFA supports the self-determination of all people, this situation warrants more nuance. As service providers and first responders, we should always use the language survivors prefer when communicating with them about their experiences. When we discuss these issues publicly, however, we have a responsibility to name issues for what they are so they can be properly addressed.

We already do this in anti-trafficking work. Because the field describes human trafficking using legal terms that often mean very little to survivors, IOFA does not suggest that providers use anti-trafficking language when communicating with survivors about their experiences. However, when we engage in advocacy, using anti-trafficking language is certainly appropriate as it allows us to accurately and concisely describes the experiences we are working to eradicate. The same should be done when discussing the Syrian refugee crisis. To refer to the Syrian refugee crisis as an influx of migrants is a disservice to those who are fleeing for their lives and can be used to minimize the legal and humanitarian obligations we have to respond swiftly and proportionately.

Putting it all together and taking action:

The refugees fleeing Syria are experiencing some of the worst situations imaginable, and are at great risk for experiencing other atrocities, including human trafficking. Accounts have already surfaced of children being forced into exploitive situations, including forced labor and child marriage to help their families survive. If we in the anti-trafficking and child welfare communities truly want to prevent human trafficking and the exploitation children we need to address the Syrian refugee crisis head on. This starts by describing the situation for what it is – an international crisis of historical proportion in which men, women, and children are risking their lives to flee crimes against humanity.

After understanding the issue and describing it with appropriate language, we can begin to act.

·         Read news articles about the crisis. When journalists describe this population as migrants, write a letter to the editor. You can even refer them to this post.

·         Contact your legislators and tell them you support refugee resettlement.

o   https://www.change.org/p/barack-obama-the-u-s-should-take-our-fair-share-of-syrian-refugees?source_location=trending_petitions_home_page&algorithm=curated_trending 

o   https://www.change.org/p/tell-world-leaders-the-future-of-syria-s-children-is-in-their-hands

o   https://www.change.org/p/immigration-and-refugee-board-of-canada-justin-trudeau-save-the-people-of-syria

·         Donate to relief efforts at home and/or abroad.

o   Doctors without Borders provides medical aid, supplies, and equipment to networks inside Syria. You can donate at www.doctorswithoutborders.com or by calling 1-888-392-0392.

o   World Vision is providing basic emergency supplies, water, sanitation, and health services to Syria and to Syrian refugees in Lebanon. You can donate at http://donate.worldvision.org/ways-to-give/by-category/disaster-relief/syrian-refugee-crisis-1 or by calling 1-800-562-4453.

o   Mercy Corps provides shelter, housing supplies, water for refugees. They also provide specialized services for children providing them with safe places to play and psychosocial support. You can donate at http://www.mercycorps.org/tags/syrias-children or by calling 1-888-747-7440.

o   There are also many more organizations listed on http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/06/world/iyw-how-to-help-syrian-refugees/

·         Encourage your friends and social networks to do the same.

Resources

Mercy Corps (2015). Quick facts: What you need to know about the Syria crisis. Retrieved from http://www.mercycorps.org/articles/turkey-iraq-jordan-lebanon-syria/quick-facts-what-you-need-know-about-syria-crisis

The European Refugee Crisis and Syria Explained (2015). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watchv=RvOnXh3NN9w

Merriam-Webster (2015).Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/migrant

Merriam-Webster (2015).Retrieved from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immigrant

UNHCR (2015).Refugees Magazine Issue 148: Refugee or Migrant - Why It Matters Retrieved from http://www.unhcr.org/475fb0302.htm

UNHCR (2015).Asylum-Seekers Retrieved from http://www.unhcr.org/pages/49c3646c137.html

VISANOW Global Immigration (2015).What's the difference between U.S. immigrant refugees and asylees? Retrieved from http://www.visanow.com/refugees-and-asylees/ 

Gallacher, C., & Cutler, S. (2014, October 9). Adolescents & the Border Crisis. Retrieved September 20, 2015, from http://iofa.org/resources/blog/adolescents-the-border-crisis-part-1-unaccompanied-minors-and-the-trafficki

- Madeline Hannan, MSW

Project Director, ChildRight:NY

Adolescents & the Border Crisis Part IV: Push-Pull Factors and Child Migration

News surrounding the crisis at the border has shed light on the dramatic increase of immigrants fleeing their countries of origin. The number of unaccompanied minors has grown from 6,800 between 2004 and 2011 to 13,000 in 2012, and 24,000 in 2013. This year, that number will reach almost 90,000. According to these estimates, the number of unaccompanied young people coming to the United States has increased by more than a 1000 percent in ten years. However, even with the dramatic increase, the unaccompanied minors who have fled their countries of origin only account for 0.15 percent of the foreign population and 0.4 percent of the population of immigrants fleeing from Central America.

 Some people believe the surge was caused by Section 235 of the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 (TVPRA), which established additional protections for unaccompanied minors, while distinguishing between arrivals from contiguous countries such as Canada and Mexico and non-contiguous countries such as those in Central America. Both Democrats and Republicans have demanded that Section 235 be revised to reduce eligibility for these protections. However, the TVPRA was passed in 2008; the number of unaccompanied minors remained consistent until 2011. A dramatic increase did not begin to occur until 2013. Therefore, the passage of the Act and increase in unaccompanied minors do not seem to be directly correlated.

Furthermore, revising TVPRA would expedite the screening and hearing process in ways that could result in detrimental effects on unaccompanied minors. The procedures within the TVPRA are enacted to guarantee due process, security and protection against human trafficking by ensuring immigration court removal proceedings and the ability to consult with an advocate. Instead of eliminating these protections[IC1] , the government needs to better train Border Patrol, judges, and agencies to accurately assist and identify human trafficking victims. Proper training and employing additional agencies to identify and assist human trafficking victims will allow this process to move swiftly and efficiently, while protecting potential victims.

However, providing proper training for U.S. courts and agencies would only address part of the issue and not the root cause. More than 70 percent of the unaccompanied minors are from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. A United Nations report ranked Honduras as the murder capital of the world, with 90 homicides per 100,000 people. Honduras is also a source and transit country for sex trafficking and forced labor. Honduran girls are sexually trafficked within the country by gangs or criminal organizations. The groups also exploit young people by forcing them to transport drugs, engage in extortion, or become hit men. Extreme violence and exploitation has led more than 16,500 unaccompanied Honduran children to travel to the United States. Corruption and inadequate law enforcement allows the violence to persist. Although gang violence and exploitation is rampant in Honduras, there are no reports of law enforcement officials investigating cases of children who may be exploited by gangs or criminal organizations.

A similar situation is found in El Salvador and Guatemala. Although El Salvador experiences gang and gender violence that may lead to trafficking, the government does not report any efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex acts or forced labor. In Guatemala, children are subjected to sex and labor trafficking within the country, in Mexico, and by U.S. gangs who recruit children for criminal acts.

The border crisis is a humanitarian crisis. Children often migrate because of the fear of gang recruitment, sexual assault, forced labor, and sexual exploitation. The TVPRA procedures were enacted to prevent the violation of children’s rights. If Congress makes revisions that limit the due process protections and expedite deportation, the U.S. will no longer consider the best interest of the child. In fact, the revision or “cutting back” of protection procedures may put these children in grave danger. If TVPRA is to be reformed, it should be reformed to benefit and improve circumstances for all unaccompanied children.

In August, President Obama requested over $3 billion to combat the flood of unaccompanied minors. However, the requested budget primarily addressed issues in the U.S. and not the violence and exploitation within countries of origin. This does not provide a comprehensive solution to appropriately curtail the issue of unaccompanied minors. Despite the President’s request, the House passed a bill reducing the budget to $659 million with provisions that would allow for easier deportation of immigrants from Central America. The bill did not pass the Senate because the proposed legislation did not address the dangers faced by child migrants sent back to their home countries. Any bill that is passed must address and improve the current state of unaccompanied youth from both contiguous and noncontiguous states, not compromise the safety of one migrant group to put both at risk in their countries of origin.

-Sausha Cutler, IOFA Program Development Intern

“Putting the Child Refugees in Context.” Center for Progress. (August 2014) Retrieved from: http://theyoungcenter.org/news/putting-the-child-refugees-in-context/

“Unintended consequences: 2008 anti-trafficking contributes to border crisis”, Tom Cohen (July 2014) Retrieved from: http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/15/politics/immigration-unintended-consequences/

“Obama, Senate Dems clash on border bill”, Alexander Bolton (July 2014), Retrieved from: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/211933-obama-senate-dems-clash-over-border-crisis

“Use brains, not brawn, to handle migrant crisis”, Christopher Wilson and Eric Olson (July 2014), Retrieved from: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/211991-use-brains-not-braun-to-handle-migrant-crisis

“Immigrant Surge Rooted in Law to Curb Child Trafficking”, Carl Hulse (July 2014). Retrieved from: http:/nyti.ms/1n2bMSf

“The Refugee Crisis at the U.S. Border: Separating Fact from Fiction”. National Immigrant Justice Center. (June 2014).

“Trafficking in Person Report: June 2014”, Office of the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs and Bureau of Public Affairs (June 2014).

Wong, Tom K. “Statistical Analysis Show that Violence, Not Deferred Action, Is Behind the Surge of Unaccompanied Children Crossing the Border,” Center for American Progress, July 8, 2014, http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/immigration/news/2014/07/08/93370/statistical-analysis-shows-that-violence-not-deferred-action-is-behind-the-surge-of-unaccompanied-children-crossing-the-border/.

http://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/southwest-border-unaccompanied-children

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 [IC1]Technically, do non-U.S. citizens have rights under U.S. law?

Adolescents & the Border Crisis, Part 3: The Impact of Border Migration on U.S. Social Policies Related to Youth

Since October, nearly 63,000 youth have been apprehended attempting to enter into the United States through the Mexican border (Park, 2014). Since 2011, the number of children from Central America attempting to enter America has doubled each year (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2014). These children, labeled either unaccompanied minors (UAM) or unaccompanied alien children (UAC), are coming to the U.S. primarily from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. They are frequently coming in an attempt to escape poverty, sexual assault, violence from gangs, kidnapping, or murder. This multi-part series of will explore the impact of border migration by unaccompanied children and youth on social policy in the U.S.

Placement with relatives in America does not end the child’s vulnerability to trafficking (Lind, 2014).  With the dramatic rise in UAC, there has been an increased pressure to get UACs out of shelters and into placement with family members as quickly as possible.  Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) has stated that they do a home study for only certain categories of UAC, as well as follow up visits for at-risk children (ORR, 2013). This raises concern that a number of placements are not being adequately screened for safety.  A similar practice in the 1990s resulted in Chinese immigrants being released to people officials believed were relatives, but turned out to be part of smuggling networks. The smugglers would then extort the immigrants and their families (Lind, 2014).  Although it is still too soon to know if the same thing is happening to these UACs, from 2008-2010, 95% of confirmed labor trafficking survivors in the U.S were foreign-born (Banks & Kyckelhahn, 2011).

CBP facility in South Texas (Photo: Huston Chronicle/U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar)

Because of these compounding vulnerabilities and knowledge from the field that many UACs have been trafficked, all UACs should be screened for indicators of human trafficking once encountered at the border. The use of a standardized screening tool by trained professionals (such as the tool under development through ChildRight: New York) would identify more child survivors so they may be provided the additional protections and resources to which they are entitled. Currently, when a youth is apprehended by a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer, he or she is interviewed by an officer within 48 hours to determine if he or she is eligible for protection under TVPRA.  A study completed by United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) found that the majority of these interviews are focused on getting quick answers and that most of the interviews were conducted in public, in plain sight of potential traffickers.  Many times, interpreters were not made available to the children and on average the interviews lasted only about ten minutes (UNHCR, 2014).  Although CBP has stated that they have developed trainings for their officers on how to properly screen UACs, this training has not been released to the public. Additionally, there is no data available on the number of UACs identified by the CBP to be at risk of trafficking (Center for Gender & Refugee Studies & Kids in Need of Defense, 2014).

To address the vulnerability of UAC to exploitation, several steps should be taken.  First, all UACs should be screened for indicators of human trafficking by persons trained in child-sensitive interviewing.  Interviews should be given in the child’s native language in a safe place where the child can feel comfortable disclosing sensitive information.  All relatives and families that house UACs should be screened for possible safety concerns.  Home-visits and follow up visits in line with those provided to youth in foster care should be completed to ensure that all UACs are living in healthy and safe environments.  UACs should have access to legal support, including child advocates who can support them in court.  Congress should enact legislation mandating counsel for UACs legislation, such as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act.  Lastly, for UACs returned to their home country, the U.S. needs to work with the home country to implement comprehensive reintegration services.  These services should focus on ensuring safety for the child when returned to their country of origin.  Ideally these services should also address the safety issues that caused the child to flee their country, to ensure that the child is not returned to danger they will need to flee again. 

- Caitlin Gallacher, ChildRight: New York Intern

Resources

Bank, D. & Kyckelhahn, T. (2011).  Characteristic of suspected human trafficking incidents, 2008-2010.  Washington, D: Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) & Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). (2014). A treacherous journey: Child migrants navigating the U.S. immigration system. Retrieved from http://www.supportkind.org/en/about-us/resources/download/63

Lind, D. (2014). Thousand of children are fleeing Central America to Texas- alone.  Retrieved from http://www.vox.com/2014/6/4/5773268/children-migration-central-america-texas-unaccompanied-alien-children-border-crisis

Office of Refugee Resettlement (2013).  About unaccompanied children’s services.  Retrieved from http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/orr/programs/ucs/about

Park, H. (2014). Q. and A. Children at the Border.  Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/15/us/questions-about-the-border-kids.html?_r=0

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2014).  Children on the run: Unaccompanied children leaving Central American and Mexico and the need for international protection.  Retrieved from http://www.unhcrwashington.org/sites/default/files/1_UAC_Children%20on%20the%20Run_Full%20Report.pdf

Adolescents & the Border Crisis, Part 2: Unaccompanied Minors and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy (DACA)

Since October, nearly 63,000 youth have been apprehended attempting to enter into the United States through the Mexican border (Park, 2014). Since 2011, the number of children from Central America attempting to enter America has doubled each year (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 2014). These children, labeled either unaccompanied minors (UAM) or unaccompanied alien children (UAC), are coming to the U.S. primarily from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. They are frequently coming in an attempt to escape poverty, sexual assault, violence from gangs, kidnapping, or murder. This multi-part series of will explore the impact of border migration by unaccompanied children and youth on social policy in the U.S.

Unaccompanied alien children (UACs) are currently the center of much debate across the nation.  President Obama has urged Congress to approve $3.7 billion in emergency funds to address the influx of UACs, emphasizing the need to speed up the deportation process (Folye, 2014).  However, Congress remains divided on how to address the situation.  The crux of the debate centers around two existing policies.  The first is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive order from the Obama administration that was signed in June 2012. DACA allows undocumented minors deferred deportation if they arrived before 2007 and if they meet specific criteria.  Deferment can be revoked at any time, and it does not provide lawful immigration status, a green card, or citizenship.  Instead, deferment indicates that the Department of Human Services (DHS) does not consider the child a danger to national security or public safety. 

It has been suggested the dramatic rise in UACs is a direct result of smugglers lying to children and their families about DACA,  telling them that they will be given a ‘free pass’ to remain in the United States if they are able to successfully cross the border. However, a study of over 400 UACs conducted by San Diego University showed that children have limited knowledge about the U.S. immigration system and few believe that they will be given special consideration based on their age (Kennedy, 2014).  In addition, legal counsel and child advocates are rarely appointed to UAC immigration proceeding.   As a result more than half of UACs do not have attorneys with them in court, or anyone to help them navigate the confusing U.S. immigration system (Center for Gender & Refugee Studies & Kids in Need of Defense, 2014).  This lack of representation increases the likelihood of a negative case result, such as the UAC being returned to a dangerous living situation (Center for Gender & Refugee Studies & Kids in Need of Defense, 2014). 

Large gang populations in their hometowns make UACs vulnerable to trafficking, as these gangs often single out young children (Kennedy, 2013).  Boys are targeted for recruitment into gangs or to become child soldiers; if they resist such recruitment, they are at risk of violence or death.  Girls are often targeted by gangs to be ‘girlfriends’ or to be trafficked for sex (Kennedy, 2013).  On the journey to America, youth face the risk of being robbed, assaulted, and sexually violated by gangs, other individuals, and even law enforcement officers (Cavendish & Cortazar, 2011). 

When youth reach the border, they reach out to a ‘coyote’ or ‘pollero’ to smuggle them across.  The fee to cross is often over $1,000 per person; if a youth does not have the money upfront they will become indebted to the smuggler (Cavendis & Cortazar, 2011).  Youth may be forced or coerced into trafficking to repay their debt, or may be sexually assaulted to have some of the debt forgiven. 

Once UACs cross the border successfully they are placed in shelters operated by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). They stay in these shelters until ORR is able to release the youth to relatives or other caregivers while they wait for their deportation hearing. An estimated 90 percent of these children are able to be placed with a caregiver, who may reside anywhere in the country (Lind, 2014). However, as we will discuss in Part 3: The Impact of Border Migration on U.S. Social Policies Related to Youth, placement in America does not end the child’s vulnerability to exploitation. 

- Caitlin Gallacher, ChildRight: New York Intern

Resources

Cavendish, B. & Cortazar, M. (2011). Children at the border: The screening, protection and repatriation of unaccompanied Mexican minors.  Washington, DC: Appleseed.

Center for Gender & Refugee Studies (CGRS) & Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). (2014). A treacherous journey: Child migrants navigating the U.S. immigration system. Retrieved from http://www.supportkind.org/en/about-us/resources/download/63

Foley, E., (2014). For border crisis, many bills but no clear answer.  Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/17/border-crisis-bills_n_5597013.html

Kennedy, E. (2014b). ‘No place for children’: Central America’s youth exodus.  Retrieved from http://www.insightcrime.org/news-analysis/no-place-for-children-central-americas-youth-exodus

Kennedy, E. (2013).  Refugees from Central American gangs. Forced Migrations Review, 43, 50-52. http://www.fmreview.org/en/fmr43full.pdf

Lind, D. (2014). Thousands of children are fleeing Central America to Texas- alone.  Retrieved from http://www.vox.com/2014/6/4/5773268/children-migration-central-america-texas-unaccompanied-alien-children-border-crisis

Park, H. (2014). Q. and A. Children at the Border.  Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/15/us/questions-about-the-border-kids.html?_r=0

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2014).  Children on the run: Unaccompanied children leaving Central American and Mexico and the need for international protection.  Retrieved from http://www.unhcrwashington.org/sites/default/files/1_UAC_Children%20on%20the%20Run_Full%20Report.pdf

Adolescents & the Border Crisis, Part 1: Unaccompanied Minors and the Trafficking Victims Protection Act

Since October, nearly 63,000 youth have been apprehended attempting to enter into the United States through the Mexican border (Park, 2014). Since 2011, the number of children from Central America attempting to enter America has doubled each year (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees [UNHCR], 2014). These children, labeled either unaccompanied minors (UAM) or unaccompanied alien children (UAC), are coming to the U.S. primarily from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. They are frequently coming in an attempt to escape poverty, sexual assault, violence from gangs, kidnapping, or murder. This multi-part series of will explore the impact of border migration by unaccompanied children and youth on social policy in the U.S.

The majority of the debate in Congress and among the public has surrounded the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection and Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), first passed in 2000 and reauthorized most recently in 2013. This legislation protects survivors of labor and sex trafficking in the U.S. and imposes criminal sanctions against both international and domestic traffickers. A clause added in 2008 allows UACs who enter the U.S. from non-bordering countries (other than Mexico and Canada) to not face immediate deportation, but rather to be offered the opportunity to see a judge in a deportation hearing.  This clause was added to better identify and protect child survivors of trafficking in other countries who were then brought to the U.S. from the southern border. It also identifies resources for survivors, as well as agencies responsible for providing these services.

In the ongoing debate over the border crisis, many have been quick to blame the TVPRA for the influx in UACs entering the U.S. However, due to their lack of protection under the TVPRA and inadequate screening methods, the majority of apprehended Mexican children are determined to not fit the criteria needed for asylum. These youth are generally deported back to Mexico within a few days, forcing them to again face the many dangers they sought to escape.

UAC at border patrol facility (Photo: Twitter/Jeffery Guteman)

For this reason Mexican youth in particular are especially vulnerable to trafficking for sex or labor.  Mexican youth are often recruited by gangs to work in the human smuggling industry, and traffickers know that if youth are apprehended they will be quickly released and can start working again within days (UNHCR, 2014). 

There have been many bills proposed to address the UAC crisis, a majority of which  seek to amend the TVPRA so that all youth who attempt to enter the United States without proper documentation are deported promptly (in the same manner as Mexican youth).  This short-sighted response to a massive global problem is not a solution. Rather than remove critical protections for some of the world’s most vulnerable children, efforts should instead focus on addressing the issues forcing children to flee their homes in the first place.  Since the majority of children are fleeing due to violence and poverty, the United States should provide aid to address gang violence and corruption in Central American governments. Studies have shown that children who are attempting to escape violence in their countries come to America as a last resort; they often move around within their country or other countries in Central America before they are forced to come to America to escape the gangs that follow them (Kennedy, 2014).  Providing safe homes or spaces for these children in their countries would dramatically decrease the amount of UACs seeking to enter the U.S.  By jeopardizing the legal protections available to UACs, we are increasing the risk of unjust deportations, which could mean that we are sending children to their traffickers, abusers, and their deaths. 

Contact your representative and let them know that they should not support proposed legislation to amend the TVPRA. 

Sign the petition:

http://www.change.org/petitions/governments-in-central-america-and-the-united-states-children-should-not-be-forced-to-choose-between-their-home-and-their-safety

http://www.change.org/petitions/felicia-escobar-protect-arriving-refugees-at-our-southern-border

- Caitlin Gallacher, ChildRight: NY Intern 

References  

Kennedy, E. (2014).  No childhood here: Why central American children are fleeing their homes.  American Immigration Council.  Retrieved from http://www.immigrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/docs/no_childhood_here_why_central_american_children_are_fleeing_their_homes_final.pdf

Park, H. (2014). Q. and A. Children at the Border.  Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/07/15/us/questions-about-the-border-kids.html?_r=0

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). (2014).  Children on the run: Unaccompanied children leaving Central American and Mexico and the need for international protection.  Retrieved from http://www.unhcrwashington.org/sites/default/files/1_UAC_Children%20on%20the%20Run_Full%20Report.pdf