Undocumented migrant children in the EU

In its 2006 communication COM (2006) 0367, 'Towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child', relating to the rights of children 'as immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees' , the Commission voiced its commitment to closing the gap between national or community migration laws and the children’s rights that the EU is committed to defending.

However the European reality is that undocumented migrants’ access to education, healthcare and housing is often restricted. The unwanted effects of migration laws are especially felt by undocumented migrant children who find themselves in a vulnerable situation rather than being protected by national, EU and international legislation.

This Keysource puts together legislative and practical experience in the European Union with reference to undocumented migrant children, including recommendations on how to improve the coherence between migration policies and moral issues.

Written by Marc Lilienkamp.