Child welfare cases involving immigration issues are considered to be some of the most time consuming and challenging because many social workers are unfamiliar with immigration issues and child welfare systems are not typically equipped to address them. Find resources in this section to help child welfare professionals understand immigration issues and work with immigrant families.
- Understanding immigration and child welfare
- Immigration enforcement and child welfare
- Helping immigrant families overcome challenges
- Well-being of immigrant children and youth
- Working with youth who are immigrants and refugees
Bridging Refugee Youth and Children's Services
Provides national technical assistance to organizations serving refugees and immigrants. Resources include a database of promising practices and publications about foster care; family-centered, culturally relevant practice; and permanency planning for refugee children.
Female Genital Cutting
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health (2015)
Provides general information on female genital cutting, including locations where it occurs, the health risks associated with the practice, and resources for individuals that have undergone it.
Female Genital Mutilation or Cutting
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
Offers national and international resources and information about female genital mutilation or cutting, including information to eliminate the practice.
Immigration and Child Welfare
National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections
Includes links to publications, tools, and State resources covering all aspects of immigration and child welfare.
Immigration Relief for Abused Children: Information for Juvenile Court Judges, Child Welfare Workers, and Others Working With Abused Children (PDF - 1,260 KB)
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2014)
Explains Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status, an immigration classification that may allow abused, abandoned, or neglected foreign-born children in the United States to immediately apply for lawful permanent resident status. This brochure provides information about eligibility, filing for the SIJ benefit, and the role of different professionals in the SIJ process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services also published fliers for Child Welfare Workers (PDF - 1,055 KB) and Juvenile Courts (PDF - 707 KB) with tailored information and tips about SIJ status.
The Center on Immigration and Child Welfare
Provides information on the intersection of immigration and child welfare in an effort to improve services for immigrant children and families. Resources include child welfare agency policies and forms (such as sample Memoranda of Understanding with foreign consulates), research, promising practices, and advocacy/legislation.