Precarious Protections: Unaccompanied Minors Seeking Asylum in the United States

Children are crossing international borders alone to seek asylum, but they fail to find the protection that our laws promise. Precarious Protections chronicles the experiences and perspectives of Central American unaccompanied minors and their immigration attorneys as they pursue applications for refugee status in the US asylum process.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 28 March 2023
Publisher: University of California Press

More and more children are traveling across international borders alone in search of safety and a fresh start, driven by the horrors of violence that have disrupted their lives. In the past decade alone, over half a million children have fled from Central America to the United States, seeking refuge and a chance to rebuild their lives. However, upon their arrival, they often find themselves disappointed and unprotected, despite the promises of our legal system. This is because a widely held belief exists that children should be safeguarded, and yet, their experiences fall short of the protections they deserve.

To shed light on this pressing issue, Chiara Galli has conducted a meticulously researched ethnography titled "Precarious Protections." Through her work, Galli challenges assumptions about asylum and exposes the narrow interpretation of asylum law by the United States. She reveals how the US interprets asylum law in a way that fails to recognize the real-world experiences of children fleeing life-threatening violence. This is particularly true for children from Central America, who face unique challenges in their quest for safety.

Galli's ethnography takes us into the lives of Central American unaccompanied minors and their immigration attorneys as they navigate the complex US asylum process. She provides a deep insight into the challenges these children face, from the trauma of their journey to the legal complexities of their applications. She also exposes the human toll of the US immigration bureaucracy, which often puts unnecessary burdens on these vulnerable children and their families.

Through her powerful storytelling, Galli calls for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to asylum law. She advocates for a broader interpretation of asylum law that recognizes the experiences of children fleeing violence and provides them with the protection they deserve. She also highlights the importance of legal representation for children, as they often lack the resources and knowledge to navigate the complex asylum system on their own.

"Precarious Protections" is a powerful and eye-opening book that sheds light on the plight of children seeking asylum in the United States. It is a must-read for anyone who cares about the well-being of children and the need to protect them from the horrors of violence. By challenging assumptions and exposing the flaws in our legal system, Galli provides a roadmap for change and a call to action for policymakers, advocates, and individuals alike.

In conclusion, more children than ever are crossing international borders alone in search of safety and a fresh start. However, upon their arrival, they often find themselves disappointed and unprotected, despite the promises of our legal system. Chiara Galli's ethnography "Precarious Protections" sheds light on this pressing issue and calls for a more compassionate and inclusive approach to asylum law. By recognizing the experiences of children fleeing violence and providing them with the protection they deserve, we can build a more just and humane world for all children.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520391918