Thread by @magi_jay

I agree with taking this conversation in this direction. We really need to be honest about the options & how to do the best possible job by unaccompanied minors. We can all agree, I think, that no child should be deported. So what's the next step to ensure they are safe & fed?

https://twitter.com/QueenMab87/status/1364569885922189314

I think that, between letting them be homeless or being placed in a government facility while awaiting a guardian, the latter is the more humane option. But are there other options? Beefing up the potential for foster care, for example? Or would that be more problematic?

Another thing I think we should discuss is, even if we agree placing them in gov't care is the best option (out of several bad ones), how can we provide for them in the safest way possible and reduce aspects of "detention" while maximizing aspects of "care?"

Options for this are:
Maximizing transparency & legal aid
Maximizing privacy, providing education & healthcare, & minimizing "detention"
Are there other successful non-detention models in the U.S. for caring for children w/out guardians?

The foster care system largely replaced the orphanage system. There are plenty of problems w/ the current foster care system, tho some kids do have good experiences. There are also boarding schools and group placements for children in the system.

Surely there must be *some* success stories for group homes w/ good staff & protocols that contribute to an environment that is developmentally appropriate & more removed from a "detention" model. Maybe this is what we should be researching & advocating for?

Cause honestly I see a lot of people making one side of an argument & it seems more like posturing than anything else. I don't think we should let kids be homeless. I think we should care for them. There are also abundant issues w/ the current system. So, what do we advocate for?

Maybe you really do think the government should do nothing. If that's the case, I think you need to make an explicit argument why you believe letting children fend for themselves in a foreign country is the most humane response.

Keep in mind that the average age of unaccompanied minors is 11 years old, which means there are many children even younger than that arriving in the U.S. alone. Also keep in mind many do not speak English or have any money. So what do you think the most humane response is?

I'm not advocating for a detention based model, in case I've made that clear. I'm saying we should look to successful children's shelters in the U.S. for ideas.

There is also the prob of current immigration law, which I think should be changed. So, if we really want to do what's best for these kids to help them thrive in the US, we need to talk about what's possible w/in extant law, as well as how to change extant law to be more humane

And, while I'm here, do YOU know of a good example of a successful children's shelter? One where children are cared for & have autonomy? One that connects them w/ education & help w/ employment & housing? If so, I'd love to hear about it!

I do think one way to think about this is to remove yourself from the context of the U.S. How do you think a country like France should respond to child refugees who arrive without parents/guardians?