Twelfth Global Studies Conference

Abstract

In June 2018, the US government introduced the migration policy of separation of the minors from their adult relatives just after apprehension at the border. Even if the family separation was practiced in the past, this has not been used as a punitive instrument to discourage immigrants and potential refugees to come to the US. The deliberate “zero-tolerance” strategy has already led to the separation of over 6,000 families in a four-month period. The process of family separation would have long-lasting effects not only for the separated families but also for the receiving US society in general. This paper explores some of the consequences of the forcible separation of children from their parents seeking asylum in the United States. Firstly, the paper makes an attempt at understanding the psychosocial risks of family separation for the parents and, especially, for the children. Secondly, the paper uncovers the administrative pressures, glitches and, sometimes, pure chaos in the institutions involved in the protection of the children separated from the asylum-seeking parents. Thirdly, the paper considers the human rights and moral implications for a nation, proud in offering shelter for the victims of persecution from all corners of the world.