Impact of Immigration Detention on Children
The harrowing effects of immigration detention on young lives have been unwrapped in a new report that sends a clear message: the mental and physical health of children is at great risk in such environments. This comprehensive study—spearheaded by the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Asylum Clinic, the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, together with the Harvard Global Health Institute, and in collaboration with RAICES—shines a light on the bleak realities faced by children as young as six months old detained at the Karnes County Family Residential Center in Texas.
Prolonged Detention Breaking The Flores Agreement
A key aspect of this groundbreaking investigation is its focus on the length of time children spend in detention. Disturbingly, the study, which reviewed data from June 2018 to October 2020, found that approximately 88% of children were kept in custody longer than the 20-day limit set by the Flores Agreement, a benchmark intending to regulate the detention of minors. The median duration of detention for these children was 43 days—over double the period deemed permissible.
Inadequate Healthcare Access
The report paints a stark portrait of the healthcare provided to child detainees, marking it as both inadequate and inappropriate. During their time in detention, children had limited access to basic healthcare services, factors which contributed to fragmented and poor medical oversight. Dr. Shela Sridhar, a Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School, puts it plainly, “Access to healthcare is a human right which should be afforded to all children.”
Stunted Health Screenings
One of the concerning details the study brings to light is the substandard nature of health screenings for detained children. This deficiency resulted in the under-identification of both physical and mental health issues, which inevitably worsen without proper care. Mental health screenings, in this context, failed to accurately recognize children at risk for mental health disorders, as the non-validated tool used did not differentiate between age groups, ranging from infants to 18-year-olds.
External Links to Immigration Resources
For further information on standards and policies related to immigration detention,
- The Flores Settlement Agreement (Referenced Standards): Flores Settlement Agreement
- The American Academy of Pediatrics Policy Statements on Child Detention: AAP Policy Statements
Legal Stance On Child Detention Risks
The legal community has not stayed silent on the issue. Javier Hidalgo, Legal Director at RAICES, powerfully states,
“The results of this study are deeply disturbing and establish that there is no humane way to detain children and no version of family detention that is acceptable.”
His words are echoed by Dr. Vasileia Digidiki of the Harvard FXB Center for Health and Human Rights when she says,
“Detention is never in the best interest of children. The conditions that we documented in this study evidence a lack of some fundamental protections owed to children, whatever their immigration status.”
The Current State of Immigration Detention Impact
While the Biden administration put a halt to the ICE family immigration detention in 2021, this has not eradicated the detention of children under Customs and Border Patrol. Relating to this, Dr. Matthew Gartland, from the MGH Asylum Clinic, advocates:
“Detention is harmful to the physical and mental well-being of children. Prolonged detention of children with disregard for their mental and physical health is immoral, and U.S. immigration family detention should end once and for all.”
Beyond the Numbers
Digging deeper into the data between 2017 and 2021 reveals that over 650,000 children were taken into custody at the border. Shockingly, more than 220,000 of these minors were detained beyond the 72-hour threshold.
Recommendations and Future Policies
In the face of such pressing findings, it is essential to incorporate recommendations from this report into any current or future policies concerning the detention of migrant children. Professional societies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Association of Social Workers, have long held that settings failing to meet basic physical and mental health standards expose children to further risk and trauma.
The evidence from this study supports a clear conclusion: the Immigration Detention Impact on children is overwhelmingly negative, and such practices must cease to safeguard the future of these vulnerable members of society. Adequate medical care and strict oversight are some of the most fundamental rights owed to children, and as long as child detention exists in any capacity, these must be upheld.
The Way Forward
This impactful research serves as a crucial step in advocating for the cessation of child detention risks and the betterment of child welfare concerning immigrant families. As a society, by exposing these truths and advocating for change, we inch closer to a system that respects and preserves the dignity and human rights of every child, regardless of their immigration status.
Learn Today:
Glossary
- Immigration Detention: The practice of detaining individuals who are in a country without proper legal authorization or documentation for immigration purposes. It involves holding individuals in government facilities while their immigration cases are processed or awaiting deportation.
- Flores Agreement: The Flores Agreement is a legal settlement reached in 1997 in the United States. It sets standards for the detention, release, and treatment of minors in immigration detention, including the requirement that children should generally not be held in custody for more than 20 days.
Health Screenings: Health screenings are assessments conducted to identify and evaluate an individual’s physical and mental health. In the context of immigration detention, health screenings are meant to identify and address any medical needs or concerns of detained individuals, including children.
Immigrant Healthcare Access: Immigrant healthcare access refers to the availability and affordability of healthcare services for immigrants, regardless of their immigration status. In the context of child detainees, inadequate healthcare access means limited or insufficient access to basic healthcare services, resulting in fragmented and poor medical oversight.
Mental Health Disorders: Mental health disorders refer to a range of conditions that affect a person’s thinking, mood, behavior, and overall well-being. In the context of detained children, mental health disorders may include conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or other emotional or behavioral disorders.
MGH Asylum Clinic: The MGH Asylum Clinic, affiliated with the Massachusetts General Hospital, is a medical facility that provides medical and mental health evaluations and support to individuals seeking asylum in the United States. The clinic collaborates with other organizations to conduct research and advocate for improved healthcare and human rights for asylum seekers.
FXB Center for Health and Human Rights: The FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, associated with Harvard University, focuses on conducting research, promoting advocacy, and providing education on issues related to health and human rights. The center works to address the health needs and human rights violations of vulnerable populations, including immigrants and asylum seekers.
RAICES: RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services) is a nonprofit organization that provides legal services, advocacy, and support to immigrants and refugees. They work to protect the rights and well-being of immigrant children and families and collaborate with other organizations to address issues related to immigration detention.
Customs and Border Patrol (CBP): Customs and Border Patrol is a U.S. federal law enforcement agency responsible for border control and security, including the apprehension and detention of individuals crossing the U.S. border without proper authorization. CBP is involved in the initial processing and detention of children apprehended at the border.
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP): The American Academy of Pediatrics is a professional organization of pediatricians in the United States. The AAP is committed to promoting the health and well-being of children and provides guidance, policy statements, and advocacy on issues affecting child health, including child detention in immigration settings.
National Association of Social Workers (NASW): The National Association of Social Workers is a professional organization for social workers in the United States. NASW advocates for social justice and the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The organization has expressed concerns about the impact of child detention on the social and emotional well-being of children and has called for improved standards and practices.
Border Custody Threshold: The border custody threshold refers to the maximum period of time that a child can legally be held in custody by immigration authorities at the border without being transferred to a more appropriate setting. Detaining children beyond this threshold raises concerns about their well-being and compliance with legal standards.
Child Welfare: Child welfare refers to the well-being, safety, and protection of children. In the context of immigrant families and child detention, child welfare encompasses the provision of appropriate healthcare, protection from harm, access to education, and other rights and services necessary for children’s healthy development and overall well-being.
Human Rights: Human rights are fundamental rights and freedoms that all individuals are entitled to, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity, gender, or immigration status. These rights include the right to life, liberty, security, and access to healthcare, among others. Ensuring human rights is a core principle in addressing the impact of immigration detention on children and advocating for improved practices.
So there you have it, folks! The impact of immigration detention on children is clear: it’s detrimental to their well-being and goes against their rights. The data from this comprehensive study leaves no room for doubt. If you found this information eye-opening and want to dive deeper into immigration-related topics, be sure to check out visaverge.com. It’s a treasure trove of insights and resources that’ll keep you informed and engaged.
This Article in a Nutshell:
A new report reveals the alarming impact of immigration detention on children. The study found that most children were detained longer than the legal limit, had limited access to healthcare, and substandard health screenings. Experts and organizations are calling for an end to family detention and better protection of children’s rights.
