Summarizes the proceedings of a transatlantic dialogue about the viable best practices to meet the special needs and circumstances of unaccompanied, separated children, convened by the Institute of International Migration of Georgetown University. Workshop participants included academics, practitioners, politicians, government officials, and representatives from governmental and nongovernmental organizations in North America and Europe. Major points of discussion included: (1) the movement of unaccompanied or separated children to North America and Europe, reasons for children?s migration, and the lack of comprehensive demographic data, which hinders effective policy making; (2) international and national legal frameworks and challenges to ensuring the most appropriate durable solution for these children; (3) reception and interim care of unaccompanied/separated children; (4) the uneven application of immigration/asylum procedures to these children; (5) the factors behind the illegal movement of children, including trafficking and smuggling; and (6) criteria underlying determinations regarding resettlement and return. Among the many policy recommendations were legislation that calls for appointment of competent legal counsel as well as a professional child welfare advocate; special immigrant statuses that meet the best interests of the child and address immigration control concerns; and alternatives to detention.
