Immigration and Child Welfare

Immigrant families involved with child welfare may face a number of particular issues, such as legal barriers to accessing services, child trauma resulting from difficult immigration or refugee experiences, a parent's detention/deportation by immigration authorities, and acculturation and language issues. This issue brief addresses child welfare's work with immigrant children and families; examines current issues related to immigration and child welfare; provides examples of programs and promising practices; and points to resources for professionals, families, and youth.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Immigration and child welfare: then and now

Working with immigrant children and families

Culturally competent practice

Trauma-informed practice

Conclusion

Resources

References

We also recommend the following Information Gateway publications:

• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children Affected by Sexual Abuse or Trauma
  (Issue Briefs)
• Reasonable Efforts to Preserve or Reunify Families and Achieve Permanency for Children
  (State Statutes)