The Importance of Legal Assistance for Unaccompanied Minors: Protecting Psychological Well-Being and Ensuring Fair Immigration Outcomes
Faculty Mentor
Judy Rohrer
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
4-14-2026 11:20 AM
End Date
4-14-2026 11:40 AM
Location
PUB 319
Primary Discipline of Presentation
Gender, Women’s & Sexuality Studies
Abstract
Immigration proceedings in the United States can be confusing and intimidating for adults, but for children the experience can be overwhelming and frightening. Each year thousands of young people arrive in the United States without a parent or guardian and must navigate a complex legal system on their own. Because of their age, limited legal knowledge, and the trauma many have already experienced, unaccompanied minors face serious challenges within immigration courts. Providing unaccompanied minors with legal aid in U.S. immigration proceedings is crucial not only for ensuring fair legal outcomes but also for mitigating psychological trauma, reducing stress, and offering emotional support during an overwhelming process. This research examines how access to legal representation significantly improves both legal outcomes and psychological well-being for unaccompanied minors. Research shows that approximately 73% of children with legal counsel succeed in their removal cases, while only 15% of children without representation achieve the same results (Eagly et al., 2025). Despite this disparity, only about 32% of children appearing in immigration court have legal representation (Singh, 2022). Additionally, many unaccompanied minors experience high levels of anxiety, trauma, and isolation during the immigration process (Galvan et al., 2023; Vega Potler et al., 2025). Legal representation provides more than technical legal support. Attorneys help children understand their rights, prepare for hearings, and navigate the legal system with greater stability and confidence. Expanding access to legal aid therefore supports both fair legal outcomes and the psychological well-being of vulnerable children.
Recommended Citation
Cummings-Russell, Ryn, "The Importance of Legal Assistance for Unaccompanied Minors: Protecting Psychological Well-Being and Ensuring Fair Immigration Outcomes" (2026). 2026 Symposium. 7.
https://dc.ewu.edu/srcw_2026/op_2026/o2_2026/7
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
The Importance of Legal Assistance for Unaccompanied Minors: Protecting Psychological Well-Being and Ensuring Fair Immigration Outcomes
PUB 319
Immigration proceedings in the United States can be confusing and intimidating for adults, but for children the experience can be overwhelming and frightening. Each year thousands of young people arrive in the United States without a parent or guardian and must navigate a complex legal system on their own. Because of their age, limited legal knowledge, and the trauma many have already experienced, unaccompanied minors face serious challenges within immigration courts. Providing unaccompanied minors with legal aid in U.S. immigration proceedings is crucial not only for ensuring fair legal outcomes but also for mitigating psychological trauma, reducing stress, and offering emotional support during an overwhelming process. This research examines how access to legal representation significantly improves both legal outcomes and psychological well-being for unaccompanied minors. Research shows that approximately 73% of children with legal counsel succeed in their removal cases, while only 15% of children without representation achieve the same results (Eagly et al., 2025). Despite this disparity, only about 32% of children appearing in immigration court have legal representation (Singh, 2022). Additionally, many unaccompanied minors experience high levels of anxiety, trauma, and isolation during the immigration process (Galvan et al., 2023; Vega Potler et al., 2025). Legal representation provides more than technical legal support. Attorneys help children understand their rights, prepare for hearings, and navigate the legal system with greater stability and confidence. Expanding access to legal aid therefore supports both fair legal outcomes and the psychological well-being of vulnerable children.
