“Each year, thousands of children from countries around the world arrive in the United States without a parent or guardian and are taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security’s border patrol officers. In FY06, more than 7,000 children entered the United States and were detained. Many of these children were fleeing armed conflict and human rights abuses, including forced military recruitment, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, forced prostitution, child labor, and life as street children. Others were abandoned or abused by their parents or caregivers. These children are particularly vulnerable, as they lack the support of an adult and have often undergone emotional trauma prior and during their flight. Since 2002, the custody and care of these unaccompanied children has been the responsibility of the Office for Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Prior to 2002, the former Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) handled their care.” – Publisher’s description
