Describes the asylum claim process for child asylum seekers and the recently issued United States guidelines for the adjudication of these claims. The present asylum law has been inadequate for dealing with the special situations of child asylum seekers. Children were required to meet the same standards as adults, and the care and protection afforded children were insufficient. International jurisprudence has taken the lead in protecting the rights of children. The United Nations, in enacting the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and Canada, in adopting the “Child Refugee Claimant’s: Procedural and Evidentiary Issues” guidelines, are in the forefront in protecting unaccompanied child asylum seekers. In 1998, the United States issued “Guidelines for Children’s Asylum Claims.” Three provisions of the U.S. guidelines that are likely to have an impact on adjudication of children’s claim are: the appointment of a designated representative/adviser; the training of asylum officers, attorneys, and personnel; and state-funded legal representation for unaccompanied minors. (IP)
