In February 2023, the New York Times published “Alone and Exploited,” an article on the experiences of newly-arrived migrant children in the United States who are often exploited for their work in dangerous jobs that violate child labor laws. Having crossed the U.S. southern border unaccompanied, many of these young people are under pressure to earn money to support their families back home, pay rent and living expenses, as well as debts to smugglers, while also attending school and navigating immigration and asylum systems with little support. Following an onslaught of criticism, the White House promised an investigation to “crack down” on migrant child labor and new mechanisms to report abuse.
During this webinar, participants explored the dynamics of migrant child labor in the United States. Will efforts to “crack down” on child labor stop exploitation? How will forthcoming changes to U.S. asylum processes impact migrant children and their livelihoods? Most importantly, what do migrant youth have to say about their experiences?