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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Humanitarian Protection for Children Fleeing Gang-Based Violence in the Americas

Elizabeth Carlson, Anna Marie Gallagher - Journal on Migration and Human Security, 2015

This paper provides an overview of the violence perpetrated by gangs and other criminal organizations in Mexico and Central America which compels many children to flee their communities. The paper also describes the US government’s obligations to protect unaccompanied children upon arrival, and good practices of other governments relating to the protection of child migrants and refugees.

Humanitarian Protection for Children Fleeing Gang-Based Violence in the Americas

Elizabeth Carlson, Anna Marie Gallagher - Journal on Migration and Human Security, 2015

Sexual abuses of left-behind children of migrant women: community-perceived vulnerabilities and barriers in prevention

Chamara Senaratna - International Journal of Migration, Health and Social Care, 2015

The purpose of this paper is to describe hitherto unexplored issues related to sexual abuse of left-behind children of migrant women in Sri Lanka.

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Migration and Statelessness: Turning the Spotlight on Malaysia

Rodziana Mohamed Razali, Rohaida Nordin and Tamara Joan Duraisingam, 2015

This article investigates the relationships and differences between statelessness and migration. Its particular focus is on migration in Malaysia and how migration can lead to statelessness.

Building Happy Families IRC Research Brief

Amanda Sim, Research Evaluation & Learning Unit, International Rescue Committee (IRC) , 01 Nov 2014

This research brief provides an overview of an impact evaluation of the “Happy Families Program,” conducted by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The Happy Families Program is a parenting and family skills intervention designed for Burmese families living on the Thai-Burmese border.

Building Happy Families: Impact Evaluation of a Parenting and Family Skills Intervention for Migrant and Displaced Burmese Families in Thailand

Amanda Sim, Jeannie Annan, Eve Puffer, Carmel Salhi and Theresa Betancourt - International Rescue Committee, 01 Nov 2014

This report presents findings from the impact evaluation of a parenting and family skills intervention for the displaced Burmese population in Thailand called the Happy Families Program which was implemented by the IRC from 2011 to 2013.

The Arrival of Unaccompanied Minors from Central America to the U.S. Border - IRC Field Visit to Texas and Arizona: Key Findings & Recommendations to Policy Makers

International Rescue Committee, 23 Oct 2014

This report, informed by a field study conducted by the International Rescue Committee, provides a summary of findings and presents recommendations aimed at helping policy makers to improve the current and future response to the arrival of unaccompanied children from Central America to the United States.

Lessons from introducing a livelihood project for unaccompanied children into an existing child protection programme in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya

Camilla Jones, Trish Hiddleston, and Christine McCormick, 08 Oct 2014

This article details the introduction of a livelihood project for unaccompanied children in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya, which aimed at strengthening the household economy of foster families and improving the care of fostered children.

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A shared vision for systemic child protection: Advocating, developing, evidencing, and partnering to build a child protection system: Lessons learned from Albania, Terre des hommes Mission in Albania Institutional Learning Process

Dr. Rachel A Harris & Dr. Ian Milligan , 01 Oct 2014

This document reports on an Institutional Learning Process that has critically analysed the impact and effectiveness of Terre des hommes’ (Tdh) engagement in Albania over the last 14 years. It looks at the role Tdh has played in the emergence of a State Child Protection System (CPS) in Albania.

Handbook of International Human Rights Standards Applicable to Migrant Children and Adolescents

Alberto Celesia, Alejandro Morlachetti, Matilde Luna - RELAF, Save the Children, and UNICEF, 01 Sep 2014

This report is aimed at synthesizing key concepts and standards regarding the protection of the rights of migrant children and adolescents in the Northern Triangle of Central America.