Promoting Safety and Support: Child Labor Trafficking Awareness for Providers Working with Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

Thu, September 24 | 3:15 PM EDT– 4:15 PM EDT
Topic: Programming, International | Knowledge Level: Beginner

Jessica Neham, MA (she/her) and Sofia Jimenez-Omaña (she/her)

This session provides an overview of unaccompanied immigrant children (UCs), reasons for migration, and factors that may increase vulnerability to trafficking across the three stages of migration: in the country of origin, during migration, and after arrival in the United States. Unaccompanied children may migrate alone without a parent or caregiver due to conditions such as violence, poverty, family reunification, abuse, and limited access to safety or opportunity in their home countries. The session will examine labor trafficking and exploitation trends among unaccompanied and foreign national children. Additionally, the session will offer practical considerations for working with this population, drawing on guidance from the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants’ (USCRI) Anti-Trafficking Services, Home Studies and Post Release Services, and the Unaccompanied Children Resource Center. It will focus on culturally responsive and trauma-informed engagement, highlighting trauma and its impacts across the stages of migration, as well as collaborative approaches to supporting youth, strengthening protective factors, and connecting children to trusted resources and appropriate supports in community-based settings. Participants will leave with an understanding of who UCs are, labor trafficking trends affecting this population, available resources, and key considerations for supporting unaccompanied children at risk of exploitation.

Presentation Objectives
  • Provide an overview of unaccompanied children migrating to the U.S., the Office of Refugee Resettlement family reunification process, and Post-Release Services
  • Recognize risk factors for labor trafficking and exploitation that may affect unaccompanied children before, during, and after migration
  • Describe best practices using strengths-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive approaches for working with unaccompanied children
  • Provide guidance on connecting children and families to trusted community resources, including USCRI Anti-Trafficking Services and the UC Resource Center
About the Presenters
Jessica Neham, MA (she/her)

Jessica Neham is the Senior Community Outreach and Education Coordinator at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI). With a Bachelors and Masters in International Relations, she brings 15 years of experience in social services, supporting refugees and survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and sexual violence.

Sofia Jimenez-Omaña (she/her)

Sofia Jimenez Omaña is a Community Outreach and Education Coordinator at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Kansas State University and brings experience in child welfare, mentorship, case management, direct service, advocacy, education, and strengthening protections for immigrant youth and families.