Seeking Safety and Humanity in the Harshest Immigration Climate in a Generation - A Review of the Literature on the Effects of Separation and Detention on Migrant and Asylum-Seeking Children and Families in the United States during the Trump Administration

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel

Recent years have seen Northern Triangle families with children account for a large and growing share of U.S. migrants and asylum claims. During the Trump administration, policy changes aimed to deter immigration through the U.S.-Mexico border, shaping detention and separation practices. Because early development is highly sensitive, harmful policies that neglect child wellbeing can produce lifelong physical and psychological harm. This review outlines relevant federal policies, evaluates research on impacts across safety, health, development, mental health, family wellbeing, and education, and offers recommendations. Findings link even brief detention, especially separation, to serious lasting negative effects. Separation, detention, and removal to temporary encampments compound trauma and may deepen marginalization.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages46

Reading Time1 h 56 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Correspondence

Social Policy Report Overview

From the Editor

Family Separation Policy and Documentation

Reported Impacts on Children and Families

Policy Recommendations

|

| | Volume 34, Number 1 | 2021
Social Policy Report | | --- | --- | --- | Seeking Safety and Humanity in the Harshest Immigration Climate in a Generation: A Review of the Literature on the Effects of Separation and Detention on Migrant and Asylum-Seeking Children and Families in the United States during the Trump Administration Kelly L. Edyburn, Loyola University Chicago Kelly L. Edyburn and Shantel Meek, Arizona State University ABSTRACT In recent years, families with children from the Northern Triangle countries of Central America constitute a large and growing proportion of migrants and overall filed asylum claims. In an effort to deter overall immigration through the U.S.–Mexico border, the executive branch under the Trump administration has made substantial changes to federal immigration and asylum policy in recent years. Given the sensitive nature of early development and the hardship and trauma that many migrant children have experienced, immigration policies that do not prioritize child wellbeing, and in fact, neglect or harm it, can have lifelong negative consequences on physical and psychological wellbeing. In light of the scope of children and families affected by these policies and potential magnitude of their effects, the present review aimed to: 1) outline federal immigration policies under the Trump administration that primarily impacted migrant children and families; 2) review the research base regarding the effects of these policies on physical safety and health, development, mental health, family wellbeing, and education; and 3) provide policy recommendations to prevent further harm, mitigate the great harm already done, and prioritize child wellness moving forward. Findings from the review indicate that even short experiences of detention, particularly when children are separated from parents and caregivers, are associated with serious, lasting negative effects across every domain of functioning. The practices of separation, detention, and removal to temporary encampments compound traumatic experiences that migrant families are often fleeing, which in turn may setup already vulnerable children for a trajectory of continued marginalization. Future directions for research and implications for policy and practice are discussed. Correspondence Kelly L. Edyburn ( [kedyburn@luc.edu](kedyburn@luc.edu) ), and Shantel Meek ([shantel.meek@asu.edu](shantel.meek@asu.edu) ) Social Policy Report | 1 Social Policy Report Volume 34, Number 1 | 2021 ISSN 1075-7031 Social Policy Report is published three times a year by the Society for Research in Child Development. EDITORIAL TEAM Lead Editor Ellen Wartella, PhD [ellen-wartella@northwestern.edu](ellen-wartella@northwestern.edu) Associate Editor Fashina Aladé, PhD [alade@u.northwestern.edu](alade@u.northwestern.edu) Editorial Board P. Lindsay Chase-Lansdale, PhD Sandra Waxman, PhD David Figlio, PhD Craig Garfield, MD Neil Jordan, PhD Terri Sabol, PhD David Uttal, PhD Diane Schanzenbach, PhD Dedre Gentner, PhD Matthew M. Davis, MD Amelie Petitclerc, PhD Rachel Flynn, PhDOnnie Rogers, PhD SRCD Policy Staff Kelly R. Fisher, PhD Nighisti Dawit, M. Sc. Anna Kimura Manager of Publications Rachel Walther FROM THE EDITOR This Social Policy Report could not come at a more opportune time for affecting U. S. policy on immigration. According to the February 7, 2021 New York Times, about 1000 families have been released at the Mexican border since President Biden took office, and immigration officials expect these numbers will continue to rise as more families continue trekking to Mexico hoping to reach asylum in the United States. At this point, the only unknown is how long it will take for President Biden’s promised “more humane” immigration policy to be put into action and with what effect. Authored by Kelly Edyburn and Shantel Meek, Partner and Founder, respectively, of the Children’s Eq

FAQs

What is the review’s main focus regarding migrant children and families in the U.S. during the Trump administration?

It reviews how separation and detention policies affected migrant and asylum-seeking children and families, covering physical safety and health, development, mental health, family wellbeing, and education.

What do the review findings say about the effects of detention and separation?

The review indicates that even short detention experiences, particularly when children are separated from parents or caregivers, are associated with serious lasting negative effects across multiple domains.

What policy recommendations does the report emphasize to prevent and mitigate harm?

The report recommends keeping families together and calls for steps such as terminating Migrant Protection Protocols, repairing the damage from prior practices, and prioritizing child wellness.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Angel