This research paper explores the migration journey of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to the United States, focusing on the reasons why children leave their home countries, the challenges they face during their journey, and the legal processes they undergo upon arrival in the USA. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), the study examines the structural inequalities and injustices that drive migration, as well as the impact of trauma and mental health issues on UICs. The paper also analyzes the policies and frameworks in place to protect UICs, such as the Flores Settlement Agreement and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and data available, the research highlights the need for a more humane and just immigration system that prioritizes the well-being and protection of vulnerable populations. By centering the experiences of UICs and advocating for policy changes that address the root causes of migration, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals seeking sanctuary in the United States.
","abstract_html":"<p>This research paper explores the migration journey of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to the United States, focusing on the reasons why children leave their home countries, the challenges they face during their journey, and the legal processes they undergo upon arrival in the USA. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), the study examines the structural inequalities and injustices that drive migration, as well as the impact of trauma and mental health issues on UICs. The paper also analyzes the policies and frameworks in place to protect UICs, such as the Flores Settlement Agreement and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and data available, the research highlights the need for a more humane and just immigration system that prioritizes the well-being and protection of vulnerable populations. By centering the experiences of UICs and advocating for policy changes that address the root causes of migration, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals seeking sanctuary in the United States.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Santiago, Stephanie"],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Arts (MA)","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"International Studies","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Victoria Carty","Nancy Rios-Contreras","Carrie Rosenbaum"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2024,"date_issued":"2024-05-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"2024-05-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:38:37Z","subjects":["Migration Studies"],"languages":[],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/international_studies_theses/24","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Victoria Carty","Nancy Rios-Contreras","Carrie Rosenbaum"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Santiago, Stephanie"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["International Studies"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts (MA)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Migration Studies"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/international_studies_theses/24"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This research paper explores the migration journey of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to the United States, focusing on the reasons why children leave their home countries, the challenges they face during their journey, and the legal processes they undergo upon arrival in the USA. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), the study examines the structural inequalities and injustices that drive migration, as well as the impact of trauma and mental health issues on UICs. The paper also analyzes the policies and frameworks in place to protect UICs, such as the Flores Settlement Agreement and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and data available, the research highlights the need for a more humane and just immigration system that prioritizes the well-being and protection of vulnerable populations. By centering the experiences of UICs and advocating for policy changes that address the root causes of migration, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals seeking sanctuary in the United States.
"]},{"key":"dc:source","label":"Dc Source","values":["Santiago, Stephanie. \"Humanizing the Migration Experience: The Stories and Struggles of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children from the Northern.\" Master's thesis, Chapman University, 2024. https://doi.org/10.36837/chapman.000590"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["Humanizing the Migration Experience: The Stories and Struggles of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children from the Northern"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Victoria Carty","Nancy Rios-Contreras","Carrie Rosenbaum"],"dc:creator":["Santiago, Stephanie"],"dc:description.abstract":["This research paper explores the migration journey of unaccompanied immigrant children (UICs) from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America to the United States, focusing on the reasons why children leave their home countries, the challenges they face during their journey, and the legal processes they undergo upon arrival in the USA. Drawing on Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), the study examines the structural inequalities and injustices that drive migration, as well as the impact of trauma and mental health issues on UICs. The paper also analyzes the policies and frameworks in place to protect UICs, such as the Flores Settlement Agreement and the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act. Through a comprehensive review of the literature and data available, the research highlights the need for a more humane and just immigration system that prioritizes the well-being and protection of vulnerable populations. By centering the experiences of UICs and advocating for policy changes that address the root causes of migration, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all individuals seeking sanctuary in the United States.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://digitalcommons.chapman.edu/international_studies_theses/24"],"dc:source":["Santiago, Stephanie. \"Humanizing the Migration Experience: The Stories and Struggles of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children from the Northern.\" Master's thesis, Chapman University, 2024. https://doi.org/10.36837/chapman.000590"],"dc:subject":["Migration Studies"],"dc:title":["Humanizing the Migration Experience: The Stories and Struggles of Unaccompanied Immigrant Children from the Northern"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["International Studies"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Arts (MA)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T01:38:37Z"}