NCJ Number
222704
Date Published
2007
Length
109 pages
Annotation
This study examined the impact of immigration enforcement activity on the children left behind.
Abstract
Results indicate that the number of children separated from one or both parents as a result of immigration enforcement is significant; for every two immigrants apprehended, one child was left behind. Over 900 adults were arrested in the 3 study sites, and the parents among them collectively had just over 500 children. During this time, parents were sometimes held in detention for months, and only released after paying substantial bonds (up to $10,000), or not released at all before their deportation. During the detention or deportation of the parents, their children and other family members experienced significant hardship, including difficulty coping with the economic and psychological stress caused by the arrest and the uncertainty of not knowing when or if the arrested parent would be released. Hardship increased over time, as families’ meager savings and funds from previous paychecks were spent. Two-thirds of affected children are U.S. citizens and legal residents, suggesting potential future costs for the Nation. Public social service agencies can provide critical resources and assistance through relief efforts, and most affected children are eligible for Federal and State funded benefits because they are U.S. citizens. Undocumented immigrants, however, are generally afraid of seeking the assistance for their children due to fears that they would be arrested when seeking services or the child welfare authorities would take their children. Detailed program area recommendations are provided for Congress, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, public schools, State and local government and nonprofit service providers, and immigrant community institutions and leaders. The data in this report was collected from a study of three communities that experienced large-scale worksite raids within the past year: Greeley, CO; Grand Island, NE: and New Bedford, MA. Figure, tables, appendices, and endnotes