Children Illegal Immigration: Social Dimensions And International Concerns

Abstract

The phenomenon of illegal or clandestine immigration is one of the serious issues affecting both sides of the Mediterranean. It has gained significant public attention due to its sensitive nature, the human toll it takes, and the social tragedies it leaves in its wake. This phenomenon has evolved into a pressing issue, no longer limited to young adults but increasingly involving children, who are now officially referred to as unaccompanied minors. At the beginning, this form of child immigration did not attract much attention, primarily because it was less frequent compared to adult immigration and did not result in significant casualties among children at the time. However, as the numbers grew and the risks for unaccompanied minors became apparent, the issue gained visibility, highlighting the vulnerabilities and dangers faced by these children, often driven by poverty, conflict, or the hope for a better future. The issue of child immigration has become a source of international concern and anxiety. In recent decades, due to rapid changes in immigration patterns, it has gained significant importance both governmentally and academically, becoming the subject of numerous bilateral and multilateral agreements. One of the regions that have been suffering increasingly from this phenomenon, especially in the recent years, is the Mediterranean Sea, witnessing alarming numbers of child illegal immigration.