Chapter 1 – Introduction
1.4. Methodology
國
立 政 治 大 學
‧
N a
tio na
l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
and an analysis of the possible United States policy implications will be the focus of this study. Children are key components of any given society, and guaranteeing their safety during migratory process or once they are apprehended at United States borders is very important. However, it is also important is to guarantee their safety at home so they don´t feel the urge to take on these dangerous journeys that jeopardize their well-being and their lives.
An important rationale for this study is acknowledging children as agencies, where they can be considered as social actors and active participants in the decision-making process of migration, rather than passive actors. A very convincing argument in this respect is that children need to be considered as agencies and be listened to by researchers in order to understand the issues that affect their lives (Qvortrup 1994). Studies related to children should be centered specifically on the child.
The insights to be gained from this study will be helpful to the government, policy makers and researchers interested in child migration and, in general, to authorities responsible for child development and the welfare of children.
1.4 Methodology
A qualitative research method will be used to carry out this study. This research method has been considered most appropriate because it is feasible in terms of providing a complete, in-depth explanation of the research topic; which by nature is more exploratory.
‧
國立 政 治 大 學
‧
N a
tio na
l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
1.4.1. Research Design.
As previously stated, the purpose of this thesis is to create better understanding of the underlying causes of child migration from Central America to the United States and to determine the reason why the numbers of apprehended children from Honduras is so high compared to the number of apprehended children from Nicaragua. This entails a detailed study of wider and local context factors influencing such migratory trends. A case study approach is, therefore, used to answer the research questions that frame this work. This specific designed was chosen because the case study model is concerned with describing a phenomenon (Yin, 2003). Hence, it is a highly appropriate method for investigating the dynamics involving unaccompanied child migration.
The selection of the cases was based on two factors. Firstly, and most important is the number of apprehended minors that has been reported by the United States Customs and Border Protection of the department of Homeland Security where Honduras showed the highest number of casualties, while its neighbor Nicaragua showed a significant lower amount and one of lowest in the region. The second reason that influenced the case selection was based on the fact that the two countries are coming from a background with similar historical socio-economical factors.
In addition to the selection of the cases that were analyzed, the destination country chosen for the study of unaccompanied child migration is the U.S. As chapter 3 explains, a major destination country for Nicaraguan unaccompanied minors is Costa Rica. Every year, children from Nicaragua migrate to Costa Rica in a circular fashion to work in coffee plantations to save money so they can return home and start the following school year (IOM, personal communication, April 29, 1015). In this sense, the reason why this study
‧
國立 政 治 大 學
‧
N a
tio na
l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
focuses on children who are apprehended in the U.S. rather than children migrating to Costa Rica is primordially because unaccompanied child migration from Central America to the U.S. is occurring in numbers a lot higher than those to Costa Rica and increasing at concerning rates in the past years. Additionally, these children are migration to the U.S on a more permanent fashion unlike the circular migration that occurs in Costa Rica.
Nevertheless, this study also acknowledges the fact that there is still a need to address all cases of unaccompanied child migration that are occurring in the region regardless of the magnitude of each case.
1.4.2. Data Collection
The primary and secondary data, which will support the research question, has been derived from three main sources. Firstly, from traditional sources of measurement of migration such as censuses and demographic surveys of the countries of origin, transit and destination. In addition, other non-demographic information sources including statistics.
Secondly, by examining published works such as books, journals, and official statements.
Lastly, by analyzing interviews conducted to government and non-governmental officials.
As far as tertiary sources go, these include newspaper articles, publications by non-governmental organizations and online libraries. Example of the range of source that were used, include but are not limited to:
• Historiographical analysis of past and present migration trend from the two countries of interest to the United States and porously delimitated to publications and reports after 1990.
• Existing literature focusing on Honduras and Nicaragua’s migratory process to the United States.
‧
國立 政 治 大 學
‧
N a
tio na
l C h engchi U ni ve rs it y
• Domestic and International laws that have affected the degree of flexibility and ability in which Nicaraguans and Hondurans were able to migrate to the United States and obtain legal status or be deported.
• Interviews conducted by the researcher with institutions that worked directly with children who has migrated to the United States either in the process of receiving, repatriation or reintegrating the children. The rationale behind this was to capture, as accurately as possible information about the children whom they were able to work with and had the opportunity to interview. The aim of the results of the interviews is to form a primary source of information and obtain figures against which we could measure other data source and, to arrive at a more balanced picture.