Unaccompanied Migrant Children from Central America: Context, Causes, and Responses
44 Pages Posted: 8 Dec 2014 Last revised: 19 Nov 2014
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
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