Autor
Palabras clave
inmigración
menores no acompañados
detención
asistencia letrada
derecho al debido proceso
Tribunal Supremo
Resumen
El amplio fenómeno de la inmigración en los Estados Unidos registra un particular movimiento migratorio, sin duda relevante por su volumen: el que protagonizan los menores no acompañados. En el presente trabajo se analiza el tratamiento jurídico dispensado a estos menores. Aunque en unas condiciones bastante precarias, en un primer momento se reconocían algunos derechos constitucionales a los menores inmigrantes no acompañados. Sin embargo, ante el creciente flujo de este tipo de movimiento migratorio que se experimentó en la década de los ochenta, las autoridades estadounidenses adoptaron una política aún más restrictiva orientada a incrementar las detenciones de los menores inmigrantes. Esta nueva política esencialmente se caracterizaba por tratarlos más como inmigrantes ilegales que como menores y por hacer descansar esa nueva política en una serie de razones que en realidad escondían otras. Esta política originó un largo y complejo litigio que llegó incluso al Tribunal Supremo. Lejos de zanjarse la controversia, el tratamiento de los menores inmigrantes no acompañados provocó la adopción de una serie de acuerdos y de iniciativas legislativas, reflejo del debate social y político que suscitaba, encaminados a mejorar las condiciones de detención de los menores inmigrantes no acompañados y a proporcionarles asistencia letrada. Y, por último, de esta experiencia sin duda se pueden extraer útiles enseñanzas para España y Europa a la hora de abordar tan delicado problema.
Keywords
Immigration; unaccompanied minors; detainment; legal representation; due process rights; Supreme Court
Abstract
The widespread phenomenon of immigration in the United States of America recorded a particular migratory movement undoubtedly relevant due to its volume: ereunaccompanied
minors play the leading role. This paper intends to analyze the legal treatment provided to these minors. Although under very precarious conditions, in the beginning, the unaccompanied immigrant minors had some constitutional rights acknowledged. Notwithstanding, given the increasing flow of this type of migration experienced during the 80’s, U.S. authorities adopted an even more restrictive policy aimed at increasing the number of detained minor immigrants. This new policy was essentially characterized by treating them as illegal immigrants instead of just minors, as well as holding an underlying purpose which in reality served to mask a series of other things. This policy originated a long and complex lawsuit which even reached the Supreme Court. Far from settling the dispute, the handling given to unaccompanied immigrant minors led to laying down a series of agreements and legislative initiatives, a result of the social and political debate raised on this matter, channeled towards improving conditions for unaccompanied immigrant minors as well as to provide them with legal representation. Last of all, this experience will certainly be an important lesson for Spain and Europe when it comes to dealing with this delicate issue.
minors play the leading role. This paper intends to analyze the legal treatment provided to these minors. Although under very precarious conditions, in the beginning, the unaccompanied immigrant minors had some constitutional rights acknowledged. Notwithstanding, given the increasing flow of this type of migration experienced during the 80’s, U.S. authorities adopted an even more restrictive policy aimed at increasing the number of detained minor immigrants. This new policy was essentially characterized by treating them as illegal immigrants instead of just minors, as well as holding an underlying purpose which in reality served to mask a series of other things. This policy originated a long and complex lawsuit which even reached the Supreme Court. Far from settling the dispute, the handling given to unaccompanied immigrant minors led to laying down a series of agreements and legislative initiatives, a result of the social and political debate raised on this matter, channeled towards improving conditions for unaccompanied immigrant minors as well as to provide them with legal representation. Last of all, this experience will certainly be an important lesson for Spain and Europe when it comes to dealing with this delicate issue.