Undocumented Migrant Children in the UK
Aims and Objectives
Many EU countries are experiencing record levels of unauthorized migration. A significant proportion of these migrants are children —that is, persons under the age of 18. While there is broad recognition of the importance of protecting children in mainstream public policy, governments face the challenge of how to comply with their international obligation and address the protection needs of this specific group of children.
This project aimed to advance knowledge on the experiences and everyday lives of irregular migrant children in the United Kingdom, to cast light on the challenges facing the communities in which they reside and to explore services and resources available to them in particular in relation to health, education and employment. It examined the ways in which, in the experiences of irregular migrant children, the lack of legal status intersects with gender, age, country of origin and other social factors, as well as the challenges faced by service providers in relation to this group of children.
The target population included unaccompanied migrant children; children who have migrated with or come to join close family members, and children who are born in the UK to irregular migrant parents.
Background
This project, funded by the Barrow Cadbury Trust, is part of a comparative project on irregular migrant children in the United States and the United Kingdom carried out in collaboration with the Institute for the Study of International Migration, Georgetown University, Washington DC.
Methods
The project used a multi-method approach to create a comprehensive picture of undocumented migrant children’s lives in the UK and the challenges this group of children pose to service providers, in particular in relation to health, education and employment.
The first phase reviewed the existing legislative and policy frameworks in the target countries as well as available empirical research and data on undocumented children and their access to education and health care. It also involved consultation with experts and institutions working with undocumented children on the ground. The second phase consisted of empirical research, including structured and semi-structured interviews as well as field observation. The third and final phase identified potential implications for policy which are now being disseminated through publications and meetings with policy makers, service providers, and others concerned with the situation of undocumented minors.
The project relies on the valuable contribution of a number of community based and advocacy organisations. The roles of partner organisations includes: to support the research team during fieldwork and help to establish links with relevant communities; provide logistical support for meetings and interviews; offer feedback on the interim report and other project material; help the research to explore the policy implications of the project and disseminate the research findings within their networks.
Outputs
- Final Report No Way Out, No Way In
- Summary of report, video interview with Dr Nando Sigona
- Roundtable event at the House of Lords, 25 June 2012
- Background Paper on Children in Undocumented Migration
- Project Blog: Irregular Voices
- Irregular Migrant Children and Public Policy, Policy Primer, Migration Observatory
- Triple vulnerability: the lives of Britain’s undocumented migrant children, openDemocracy
- Workshop with policy-makers and stakeholders in the UK, June 2011
- Videos: Ahmad's story, Kidi's story
Research Team
Principal Investigator
Dr Nando Sigona, COMPAS
nando.sigona@compas.ox.ac.uk
Research Officer
Vanessa Hughes, COMPAS
vanessa.hughes@compas.ox.ac.uk
Fieldworkers
Ayo Audu; Clotilde Giner; Janroj Keles; Tom Lam; Ana Souza; Inayat Pashtoonmal; Clara Straimer; Nina Perkowski
Funder
Barrow Cadbury Trust
