NCJ Number
242330
Editor(s)
Susan D. Phillips, Ph.D.,
Wendy Cervantes, M.A.,
Yali Lincroft, M.B.A.,
Alan J. Dettlaff, M.S.W., Ph.D.,
Lara Bruce, M.S.W.
Date Published
January 2013
Length
73 pages
Annotation
Seven articles present various perspectives on problems that may arise for children when the criminal justice, immigration enforcement, and child welfare systems converge to impact their families.
Abstract
An introductory article discusses the entwining of the criminal justice and immigration enforcement systems through criminalized violations of immigration law. The interaction between criminal law and immigration law has intensified in the last decade as contact with local and State law enforcement agencies has become a more frequent pathway into the Federal immigration enforcement system. A second article describes the complex interplay among the criminal justice, immigration enforcement, and family court systems as "a treacherous triangle" for children that results in "shattered families." A third article notes that currently a person is more likely than ever to enter the immigration enforcement system following contact with local and State law enforcement; and only a small percentage of those apprehended in this manner were arrested for serious criminal acts. The family situation is even more complicated when a parent becomes involved in both the immigration system and the child welfare system. This may lead to inappropriate assumptions about a person's parenting ability based solely on his or her involvement in immigration proceedings. Other articles address the management of youth in the juvenile justice system who also are identified as illegal immigrants; potential immigration consequences of State criminal convictions; and circumstances when immigration enforcement complicates the efforts of family courts to strengthen families. Another article poses some questions that have yet to be addressed regarding the impact of immigrant enforcement on involved children's well-being. Each article includes recommendations for improving policies and practices so as to reduce the adverse impacts on immigrant parents and their children. Citations for each article