| |
| author | Hilda Gissela Bonilla |
| title | The Handling of Unaccompanied Minors Entering the United States from Mexico and the Northern Triangle Region |
| abstract |
The United States government has been challenged by the unprecedented number of children arriving at the southwestern border raising questions regarding its capacity to
deal with this crisis. The majority of children are fleeing from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Under international law, these children are eligible for
international protection due to the circumstances that pushed them to leave. However, due to the lack of child-sensitive policies, the U.S. has failed in providing
children with the help they need. This research project argues that the U.S. needs a more child-sensitive immigration system that takes into consideration the
vulnerability of the child through a best interest of the child principle lens. Incorporating this principle into immigration laws that affect children will bring the
U.S. immigration system in line with welfare laws and international laws in place to protect children. As a result, the United States will have an immigration system
that takes into consideration the experience of children in their home countries, during the journey, and in the United States. Also, a best interest of the child
policy will ensure that children have a just legal process in which they are able to understand their legal situation. This research analyzes the U.S. actions in
repatriating, sheltering, and adjudicating children. As every part of the process after children arrive to the U.S. should be guided by a best interest of the child
principle.
|
| school | The College of Liberal Arts, Drew University |
| degree | B.A. (2016) |
| advisor | Philip Mundo |
| committee | Sangay Mishra
Raul Rosales
Michael Peglau |
| full text | HGBonilla.pdf |
| |
