PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference Crossing Borders: Immigration Issues In The Child Welfare...
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Transcript of PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference Crossing Borders: Immigration Issues In The Child Welfare...
PCCYFS 2012 Annual Spring Conference
Crossing Borders: Crossing Borders: Immigration Issues In Immigration Issues In
The Child Welfare The Child Welfare SystemSystem
Presented By: Benjamin Drinen, Esq.
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Deportation Numbers
• 2011 – 400,000 Immigrants Deported
• January 1, 2011-June 1, 2011 – 46,000 Parents Of Citizen Children Deported
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Impact On Child Welfare System• 1 in 5 American children have at
least one immigrant parent
• Over 90% of these children are U.S. citizens
• 10% of children involved with the child welfare system have one immigrant parent
• Higher rates of congregatecare placement and APPLA
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Obstacles
• Fear of authorities
• Language
• Cultural Differences
• Limited services, benefits
• Legal Standards
• Casework across borders
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Fear of Authority
• Deportation
• Build Trust
• Back-up Plans
• Child - Centered
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Language - Interviews
• Picking translators
• Non-verbal cues
• Addressing fear
• Confidentiality
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Language - Putting it in Writing
• Difficulty Of Identification
• Translating Documents – Federally Mandated
• Literacy
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Language – Court Translation
• AOPC Translators
• Before, After, During
• Accuracy
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Cultural Issues
• Educational values
• Discipline
• Parent-Child roles
• Child care
• Health care
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Limited Supports and Benefits• See Handout 1
• Check reporting requirements before referring
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Conflicting Standards
• Dependency Court – Best Interests Controls
• Immigration Court – Best Interests Irrelevant
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Unaccompanied Teens
• Trauma – Past And Present
• Trafficking
• Trust
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Preparing the Placement
• Diet
• Religion
• Language
• Rules
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Casework Across Borders
• Contacting consulates
• Contacting agencies
• Assessing safety
• Overcoming bias
• Child’s wishes
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International Searches
• Foreign Consulates in the U.S.
• U.S. Embassies Abroad
• Local Networks
• Internet Searches
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Using Technology
• Investigation
• Testimony
• Visitation
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Confidentiality
• Vienna Convention of Consular Relations
• Dual Citizenship
• Due Process
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Improving the System
• Build local networks
• Improve practices
• Learn from others
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Permanency Planning
1) Read Case Scenario – Handout 4
2) Discuss Questions
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Maria’s Story
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Paths to Legal Residency
SIJS – Dependency
VAWA – Domestic Violence
T Visa - Trafficking
U Visa – Crime Victims
Asylum – Torture
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How Child Welfare Professionals Can Help With Residency• Lawyer Referral
• Information Sharing
• SIJS Findings
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Citizenship and Adoption
Adoption can be a path to citizenship if:
1)Adoption is finalized before age 16
2)Child in adoptive parent’s care for 2 years before age 18
3)Adoptive parent is citizen
4) Child becomes legal resident
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For Further Information:
Benjamin Drinen, Esq.Diakon/FDR