Rutgers Law

601:633. Child Migration & U.S. Immigration Policy (2)*

Professors Joanne Gottesman (Rutgers-Camden) and Randi Mandelbaum (Rutgers-Newark).

Distance Learning

Limited Enrollment =

Requires permission of instructors.

* A third credit is available for students who travel to Guatamala over spring break.

This timely course will examine the factors leading to the recent surge in Central American children coming to the U.S. border alone.  In a weekly two-hour seminar, this course will examine four main areas: (1) U.S. immigration policy towards children, including substantive law and procedure; (2) current push and pull factors leading to child migration from Central America; (3) best practices in working with children in crisis and (4) the challenges of reintegration after deportation.  By traveling to Guatemala over spring break, students will have the opportunity to meet with social service organizations and government agencies that work with child migrants and repatriated children.  Students will learn first-hand the reasons why children emigrate and the difficulties they face in the United States, and after repatriation. The in-country experience will provide a unique and valuable setting for students to enrich their understanding of U.S. immigration policy and the effects of that policy on children.  There may be a service-learning component incorporated into our time in Guatemala.   

This interdisciplinary course will be offered simultaneously to students on the Camden and Newark campuses, with one professor present in each location. A few of the classes may feature guest speakers from disciplines other than law (psychology ad social work, for example) to enhance the students’ learning of child development and the needs of children, especially those who have lived through traumatic experiences. Grades will be based on class participation, performance on in-class exercises, and a final research paper.

Last updated April 21, 2015.