Reports

We hope that through this annual report – our first – you will learn more about this forgotten group of undocumented children who are living in our midst.

These children often have no parent or legal guardian to care for them, and are particularly vulnerable as a result. They have many needs – legal, physical, psychological, educational – that are not being met while they are in the United States and in immigration proceedings.

Attending school and securing lawful status in the United States are two keys to safety and security for undocumented unaccompanied homeless youth.

This brief is designed to provide young people, immigration attorneys and advocates, McKinney-Vento liaisons and educators with basic information to help them access these keys. After describing some of the factors that cause youth to experience homelessness without a parent or guardian and the circumstances that result in immigrant youth being in the United States without their parents or guardians, the brief shares information about the federal laws that provide the means for youth to attend school and address their immigration status.

Some of these laws are very complex, and this document does not provide comprehensive information. Before seeking to enforce these rights, youth, educators and advocates should seek professional support through the resources offered at the end of the brief.