Unaccompanied Alien Children in the United States

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the extent to which domestic statutes and regulations regarding processing and treatment of unaccompanied children in the United States comply or violate the international human rights standards. Through closely examining the process in which unaccompanied children are apprehended, detained, and released to sponsors, this thesis aims to gain a deeper understanding of factors contributing to the U.S. government’s success or failure in upholding children’s rights. It questions whether institutions and agencies involved in rendering protection for unaccompanied children follow the requirements set forth in international human rights law. Through this line of questioning, this thesis argues that although the rights of unaccompanied children are protected procedurally, a full realization of higher level of protection for children afforded by international human rights law is inadequately achieved.