AAP Leadership Action on Immigrant Child Health

The following resources provide important insights and recommendations related to the care and protection of immigrant children. Click on each title to view the full letter or article.

USA Today op-ed from Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, following child death in Customs and Border Protection custody

In this USA Today opinion published June 25, 2023, pediatric and legal experts urge the Department of Homeland Security to enact urgent reforms at CBP facilities. The authors spotlight the preventable death of an eight-year-old in Border Patrol custody and call for transparency, independent oversight, shorter detention times, and trauma-informed care to protect children held at the border.

AAP letter to the Department of Homeland Security on ensuring the health and safety of children in federal custody

In this May 2023 letter, the American Academy of Pediatrics urges DHS to prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of children in federal custody. The letter outlines pediatric recommendations for appropriate medical care, trauma-informed practices, and humane treatment standards for immigrant children.