Kinship & Immigration

Overview by the ABA Center on Children and the Law on the impact of immigration status of potential kin caregivers' ability to be licensed as foster parents for a child in care. This brief includes a map of the state immigration status requirements for licensure. 2022. For other immigration resources visit: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/project-areas/immigration/

Generations United's signature report in 2018  highlights the additional hurdles faced by grandfamilies who come together because of a parent’s detention or deportation. Those hurdles include restricted access to support and services to help meet the children’s needs, language barriers, and fear of government agencies.  Thie report contains concrete policy and program recommendations to help guide policymakers and advocates.

The ABA Center on Children and the Law is pleased to share Immigration Issues in the Child Welfare System: Case Studies. This resource provides guidance on how to navigate a number of scenarios in which children and their families may benefit from support services but face intersecting immigration and child welfare legal challenges.

This fact sheet reviews state licensing standards related to immigrant caregivers serving as placement resources for children in the child welfare system.  Summary of fact sheet also available here (2017).