Dr Ingi Iusmen conducts innovative research into Unaccompanied Minors in the US to evaluate Trump effect

In 2019, over 75, 000 unaccompanied migrant children fled conflict and persecution and arrived in the US seeking protection and safety. However, upon arrival they often face more legal, social and administrative challenges that leave them living in limbo. A backlog of over one million unaccompanied minors await a court decision on their future status, some of whom have been waiting since 2014.

Dr Ingi Iusmen, Lecturer in Governance and Policy within Politics and International Relations at the University of Southampton, is conducting innovative research into the situation of Unaccompanied Minors (UAM’s) in the US in order to evaluate the effect of Trump administration policies on child refugees.

Dr Iusmen is conducting the research at the FXB Centre for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, working with  one of the world’s leading child refugee experts, Professor Jacqueline Bhabha. The project aims to develop a greater understanding of the views, direct experiences and expectations of unaccompanied minors during the asylum/immigration processes and the long-term solutions they expect to receive. The overarching aim of this innovative, timely and original research project is to generate an empirical base for the development of sound, rights-based policy recommendations for the adoption of sustainable long-term solutions for these children.  

Dr Iusmen is based at Harvard University as a visiting Scholar and recipient of the Fulbright-Schuman Award. This prestigious and competitive international award is funded by both the US State Department and the European Commission and allows EU scholars to conduct research at prestigious American universities.