Unaccompanied Migrant Children from Central America: Context, Causes, and Responses

44 Pages Posted: 8 Dec 2014 Last revised: 2 Nov 2015

See all articles by Dennis Stinchcomb

Dennis Stinchcomb

American University - Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS)

Eric Hershberg

American University - Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS)

Date Written: November 2014

Abstract

This paper offers a comprehensive orientation to the recent surge in migration to the United States by unaccompanied children and families from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. To inform advocates and others working on behalf of these new arrivals, this report seeks to: 1) Set the unprecedented expansion in the number of youth and family border crossings in the context of long-term migration trends from the region; 2) Present a detailed account of the country conditions (“push factors”) driving the exodus of Central American minors and families; and 3) Consider new arrivals’ prospects for remaining in the U.S. in light of available forms of deportation relief as well as current policy and advocacy responses.

Keywords: Central America, unaccompanied minors, UACs, border apprehensions, push factors, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras

Suggested Citation

Stinchcomb, Dennis and Hershberg, Eric, Unaccompanied Migrant Children from Central America: Context, Causes, and Responses (November 2014). CLALS Working Paper Series No. 7, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2524001 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2524001

Dennis Stinchcomb (Contact Author)

American University - Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) ( email )

4400 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington, DC
United States

Eric Hershberg

American University - Center for Latin American & Latino Studies (CLALS) ( email )

4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
United States

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