Children and Migration

Millions of children around the world are affected by migration. This includes girls and boys who migrate within and between countries (usually with their families but sometimes on their own), as well as children ‘left behind’ when their parents or caregivers migrate in search of economic opportunities. Be it forced or voluntary, by adults or children, migration affects children’s care situations and can entail risks to their protection.

Children on the move: Like adults, children often migrate in an attempt to build a better life – to escape poverty, discrimination or conflict, and to find education, employment and other opportunities. Others relocate due to an unstable or difficult family environment, such as the loss of a parent, or neglect or abuse from a caregiver. Children may migrate with or without their families, and their movements may be temporary, seasonal or permanent.

While migration can open up new opportunities for children, it can also expose them to harmful care situations, chronic poverty, violence and exploitation. During transit and at their destination, migrant children may end up in unsafe institutions, detention centres, on the streets or in overcrowded, poor-quality accommodation. Others who migrate to join households (e.g. for fostering, education, domestic work or apprenticeships) may be subjected to exploitation. Many migrant children, particularly those without documentation, end up without access to education, protection or basic services, while discrimination and language barriers make it difficult for them to reintegrate into new communities.

Children left behind. An increasing number of children around the world are also adversely affected when migrating parents leave home to seek out employment or economic opportunities (often in urban centres). While children may gain materially from remittances sent home, the absence of a parent may be detrimental to their social and psychological development. In particular, the nature and quality of children’s care relationships may suffer as they adjust to life without a loved caregiver and try to replace a physically and emotionally nurturing relationship with someone new.

Studies from around the world indicate that children left behind by migrating caretakers face education, health and psychosocial problems, including deteriorating academic performance and lower school attendance, greater risk of drug abuse, early pregnancy, involvement in criminal activities and social dysfunction. Left behind children may suffer from low self-esteem and feelings of abandonment, and in the worst cases may be vulnerable to violence, abuse and trafficking. While new or remaining caretakers can offer children a protective and caring environment they may also struggle to care for them without support, and breakdown of these relationships can sometimes result in children’s placement in harmful institutional care.

The documents in this section focus on the impact of migration on children’s care situations, and outline policy, advocacy and programmatic measures to enhance child migrants’ protection.

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Updates from ISS-USA's Regional Conference in Guatemala

International Social Service, USA Branch, 23 May 2016

This is an update on the ISS-USA Regional Conference in Guatemala.

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Children Behind Bars: A vulnerability approach to Norwegian practice of immigration detention of asylum seeking children

Stine Solvoll Navarsete, University of Oslo, 15 May 2016

This paper discusses how Norway is in a position where it needs to balance its interests in immigration control with its obligations under international human rights law to protect the rights and liberties of asylum-seeking children. This document emphasizes the importance of protecting vulnerable children. In general this paper analyzes the ways that Norway acknowledges and protects the vulnerability of asylum seeking children. It also discusses the jurisprudence in place in relationship to vulnerable asylum-seeking children.

Refugee & Migrant Crisis Child Protection Response: Protecting refugee and migrant children on the move

Child Protection Hub, UNICEF, and Terre des Hommes, 01 May 2016

This capacity building package was developed to build the capacity of those responding to the refugee and migrant crisis to be able to address child protection concerns within the unique settings of the largely transit countries, in particular Croatia, Serbia and the former Yugoslavian Republic of Macedonia (tfYROM). The course book contains four core modules: Block A – Cultural Sensitivity; Block B – Impact of Being a Refugee/Migrant on Children; Block C – Working Together for the Benefit of Children; and Block D – Safeguarding. Each block takes about one and one-half hours.

In safety and dignity: addressing large movements of refugees and migrants

United Nations Secretary General, A/70/59, 21 Apr 2016

This report by the UN Secretary General provides background and recommendations in preparation for the high -level plenary meeting on addressing large movements of refugees and migrants, to be held on 19 September 2016.

New Beginnings: Issues and Needs in International Kinship Care

David Rose, Klaus Serr - Australian Scholarly Publishing, 07 Apr 2016

Children and young people, many from conflict-affected countries, who arrive in Australia on orphan relative visas are highly vulnerable. In this book by David Rose and Klaus Serr, professionals with experience of working in this field discuss their perceptions of the needs of these young people and their carers.

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ผลกระทบของการย้ายถิ่นภายในประเทศที่มีต่อสุขภาวะ และพัฒนาการเด็กปฐมวัย (The Impact of Internal Migration on Early Childhood Well-Being and Development)

UNICEF Thailand, 01 Apr 2016

This is a longitudinal mixed-method study investigating the impact of parental migration on early childhood well-being and development in Thailand. This report presents the baseline results of quantitative and qualitative surveys.

Can the Children Speak?: Precarious Subjects at the US-Mexico Border

Jane Juffer - Project Muse, 01 Apr 2016

This essay considers the recent increase in migration of unaccompanied minors from Central America and Mexico and argues that US border control and immigration officials have not addressed the specific experiences of migrating children.

The Impact of Internal Migration on Early Childhood Well-Being and Development

UNICEF Thailand, 01 Apr 2016

This is a longitudinal mixed-method study investigating the impact of parental migration on early childhood well-being and development in Thailand.

Puertas cerradas El fracaso de México en la protección de niños refugiados y migrantes de América Central

Human Rights Watch, 31 Mar 2016

Human Rights Watch llevaba a cabo investigación en México y Honduras en 2015 para examinar cómo México está aplicando la ley nacional e internacional en el tratamiento de migrantes centroamericanos, particularmente los niños.

Closed Doors: Mexico’s Failure to Protect Central American Refugee and Migrant Children

Human Rights Watch, 31 Mar 2016

Human Rights Watch conducted research throughout Mexico and Honduras in 2015 to examine how Mexico is applying national and international law in its treatment of Central American migrants, particularly children.