This brief focuses on policies that address the placement of dependent children with undocumented relatives living in the US. Although research has found that placing children with relative caregivers can enhance emotional well-being, research also suggests that child welfare practitioners often encounter barriers when attempting to place children with undocumented relatives. The policies in this category attempt to reduce these barriers and make placement with undocumented relatives a viable option in cases where such placement is in the best interest of the child in custody.
