Questioning Unaccompanied Immigrant Children: Lessons from Developmental Science on Forensic Interviewing
Date
2019
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
SRCD Child Evidence Brief
Abstract
The challenges of dealing with the influx of immigrant children at the United States’ borders are profound.
Approximately 5,000 to 10,000 unaccompanied children, including many young adolescents, arrive each
month at the southwestern border.1
To determine whether these children will be given safe haven in the
United States, authorities question them about their origins and family background, traveling companions,
decision-making competency, history of abuse and violence exposure, and risk of being smuggled and trafficked.
In this context, children are at significant risk of reporting their experiences incompletely or inaccurately,
which can affect life-altering decisions about their immigration status. Decades of scientific research have
demonstrated how to interview children to obtain accurate and complete reports of their experiences,
competencies, and attitudes. This evidence highlights the critical need for clear protocols regarding when and
how children should be interviewed, including how questions should be phrased. Research also points to the
necessity for extensive training of professionals who conduct the interviews.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
forensic interview, brief, immigrant, training, child abuse
Citation
Quas, J. A., & Lyon, T. D. (2019). Questioning Unaccompanied Immigrant Children: Lessons from Developmental Science on Forensic Interviewing. SRCD Child Evidence Brief.