Unaccompanied children from Central America are a diverse group. Guatemala alone has over 20 different indigenous ethnic groups and languages, the majority from Mayan roots. Providers may come into contact with Guatemalan UCs who speak a language other than Spanish, including Akateko, Chuj, Ixil, Kaqchikel, K’iche, Mam, Q’anjob’al, and Q’eqchi’, among others.

The resources below offer more information to help providers educate themselves on the diversity within the Central American UC population.

• World Directory of Minorities and Indigenous Peoples:
  • Guatemala
  • Mexico
  • Honduras
  • El Salvador
• Indigenous Languages of Guatemala (Mil Milagros)
• Tips for Working with Unaccompanied Minors from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador (National Hispanic and Latino MHTTC)

UAMs differ from other unaccompanied children who are typically encountered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and referred to the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). They were evacuated by the U.S. government to safe havens in the United States, usually military bases that serve as intermediary sites for Afghan evacuees before resettlement into the community, as part of “Operation Allies Welcome” beginning in August 2021. 

As with other unaccompanied children, UAMs do not have a parent or legal guardian to provide for them, and were released to the care of a sponsor (usually a relative or family friend) by ORR.

Most UAMs entered the United States with humanitarian parole and are eligible for the same benefits and services as a refugee.

Click the links below to learn more about Operation Allies Welcome and the situation in Afghanistan:

• Operation Allies Welcome (DHS)
• Afghan Backgrounder (CORE)

Services and benefits for UAMs:

• Afghan Placement and Assistance (APA) Program Fact Sheet (U.S. Department of State)
• Benefits for Afghan Humanitarian Parolees (ORR)
• What Federal Benefits and Services are Available to Afghan Parolees? (Switchboard)
• Humanitarian Parole Explainer for UAMs – handout in English, Pashto, and Dari (ORR)

You can help link UAMs to eligible services and benefits by connecting them with their local refugee resettlement agency – see the bottom section of this page for the provider directory and list of contacts. 

Additional resources for providers:

• A Round-up of Resources for Serving Afghan Evacuees (Switchboard)
• Resources for Afghan Allies (USCRI)
• Dear Colleague Letter Outlining Afghan Students’ Rights (U.S. Department of Education)
• Tip Sheet: Responding to Human Trafficking among Individuals from Afghanistan (OTIP)
• Working with Muslims: Perspectives and Suggestions for Counselors (ACA)

Additional resources for families:

• Talking with Your Children about Islamophobia and Hate-Based Violence (NCTSN)
• Raising Children in a New Country: An Illustrated Handbook in Dari and Pashto (BRYCS) 
• Keeping Safe! A Children’s Bilingual Guide in Dari and Pashto (BRYCS)
• Afghan Call Center Flyers (ORR and The Providencia Group): English, Pashto, and Dari

Cuban and Haitian unaccompanied children may also qualify for refugee benefits and services through the Cuban-Haitian Entrant Program. This includes children in removal proceedings, as evidenced by their Notice to Appear (NTA) document. 

The below resources provide more information: 

• Benefits for Cuban/Haitian Entrants (ORR)
• ORR Fact Sheet: Cuban/Haitian Entrants – Definition, Eligibility and Acceptable Documents (ORR)

You can help link Cuban and Haitian minors to eligible services and benefits by connecting them with their local refugee resettlement agency – see the bottom section of this page for the provider directory and list of contacts. 

The following resource reviews cultural considerations for working with Haitian families:

• Working with Haitian Immigrants During the Grief Process: Considerations for Counselors (ACA)

The United States has extended protections to Ukrainians who have been displaced after their country was invaded by Russia in February 2022. As with UAMs, most Ukrainian unaccompanied children entered the United States with humanitarian parole and are eligible for the same benefits and services as a refugee. 

Click the links below to learn more:

• Ukrainian Immigrants in the United States (MPI)
• Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees Eligible for ORR Benefits and Services (ORR)
• Resources for Ukrainian Allies (USCRI)
• ORR Fact Sheet: Benefits for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees in English, Ukrainian, and Russian
• Health Coverage Options for Certain Ukrainian Nationals (HHS)

You can help link Ukrainian minors to eligible services and benefits by connecting them with their local refugee resettlement agency – see the bottom section of this page for the provider directory and list of contacts. 

Providers looking to connect eligible youth to their local refugee resettlement agency may find contact information here:

• Resettlement Agency Contacts and Affiliate Directory
• Key Contacts for State Refugee Coordinators

It is critical that providers use appropriate interpretation services when needed to ensure understanding and effective communication with unaccompanied children and their families. The links below offer information for best practices for the use of interpreters.

• Assessing the Need for an Interpreter (Centre for Culture, Ethnicity & Health)
• Tip Sheet: How to Work with Interpreters (Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence)
• Video: Hints and Tips for Working with Interpreters (Australian Department of Home Affairs)
• Tips for Working with Telephone Interpreters (LEP.gov)
• Considerations When Using Interpreters for Victims with Limited English Proficiency (API-GBV)