Cross-border families are where family members have dual nationality of countries and are living there. These families live in different countries for their business, children’s education, etc. In an increasingly interconnected world, cross-border families—those with members living in different countries—face unique and complex challenges. These challenges stem from family-based immigration policies that often fail to address barriers to reunification, deportation, and separation, leaving families vulnerable to emotional and psychological strain. The generational impact of these struggles, coupled with personal stories of resilience and heartbreak, underscores the importance of this issue. Taking a global perspective, this article explores the ethical and social considerations surrounding cross-border families, the strain of reunification processes, and the need for advocacy and policy solutions to protect and preserve the bonds of family.
What are the emotional challenges faced? Was in June 2018, when Executive Order 13841 was signed to bring an end to the emotional separation of migrant families on the southern border of the U.S. After a few days, a federal judge gave an order asking that all separated parents and children should be reunited but this was not it the trend of the crisis was rolling, then the Office of Inspector General came to know that 2,737 separated children as of June 2018, admit that likely thousands more remained unidentified for. Sadly, despite giving orders to be united again, family separations continued at the border.
Per U.S. Departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services, exposed that in the last 1.5 years backing the executive order, over 1000+ more children were independent from their families. In that, there were 300 children under the age of five. Until now, the parents of 545 separated children couldn’t reach their kids, even after the efforts of the committee.
Then COVID-19 pandemic arose which worsened this humanitarian crisis further. As the virus spread through detention centers, the unsafe and unsanitary conditions became undeniable. In 2020 a federal order was given to address this by giving authority for the release of detained children from family residential centers, but instead of making the families to be reunited, the officials have often released children without their parents, deepening the trauma for these vulnerable children and their families. At a time of overwhelming uncertainty and fear, the forced separation of families has left big scars on those who need the most compassion and care.
Now, the second issue is the issue of practical challenges faced by families, for example, Legal and immigration issues, it can be hard for families to get visas for a specific country by not having the documents. Families can suffer anxiety which forces them that they will be deported from the country, and apply for immigration to reunite with families, this can take a lot of time for the process to be successful. Some families don’t even have a phone which has the internet in it due to their financial issues as well can’t being able to afford expensive international traveling, However, another issue is education, in every country there is a different style of teaching and education, it’s hard for the children to cope up with it.
Moreover, as we have seen in different countries in the world the law changes very rapidly, if there is a change in immigration or the border policies it can be very hard for families to reunite, they will have to plan and apply again. The third main issue of challenges faced by families is Culture, Parents who are from another country and live in another country and have kids there, it is hard for parents to explain the culture they had when they didn’t migrate. Secondly, A very important issue is language, across the globe there are 50+ languages spoken, every country having its own, talking to families in different countries can also be very challenging. Lastly, cultural issues can be communication, talking to families can be challenging because of different time zones.
Since late 2016, doctors and caregivers have noticed more children showing signs of stress and anxiety, including behaviors linked to “toxic stress,” driven by the fear that a loved one might be taken away
Now we will discuss some examples of growing global migration. Firstly, we will discuss what is meant by Family migration. It is a concept that covers multiple aspects like international adoption, family formation, etc, However, another term is Family reunification, it is the right of a non-national who enters into and resides in a country where their family members are living lawfully or has the citizenship in order to have the family unit.
Back In 2001 in the US, around 140 million individuals lived outside their countries of origin, with people migrating made up more than 15 percent of the population in more than 50 nations. These figures were expected to increase as demographic “push” and “pull” factors strengthen, we will now see how much growth has been there.
It was expected around 45 million people in developing nations will enter the labor market annually through 2015. Many will struggle to find employment, prompting some to migrate, either legally or illegally. If we now see how much change has been since 2015 till now, it’s not a big surprise, it remained similar or declined because of the fertility rates. There was high population growth in regions like sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Africa have a high annual labor market for example, child labor is still the fastest growth whereas Asia is where the growth has been substantial due to the large population in countries like India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh. Violent conflicts, economic downturns, and natural disasters in developing regions will frequently lead to large-scale migrations.
However, Europe and Japan are facing significant challenges due to aging populations and shrinking workforces, which threaten the sustainability of pension systems and constrain economic growth. Addressing these issues will require strategies such as increased migration, comprehensive pension reforms, or measures to boost productivity. However, a range of factors, many driven by recent trends in globalisation and democratisation, are likely to hinder the ability and willingness of most nations to effectively manage migration across their borders.
As we have discussed the Challenges faced by families in terms of Immigration, we shall now discuss How immigration laws in various countries prioritise family reunification in different countries. If we talk about a few countries like the United States and Canada, They have family reunification policies that allow people to sponsor family members to immigrate. The requirements for family reunification vary by country.
If we talk about the United States, Family members like Spouses, parents, and unmarried children under 21 are eligible for family reunification, Secondly, Family members must meet the U.S. definition of a refugee. Thirdly, Family members must be otherwise admissible to the U.S. Lastly, the Refugees in the U.S. can petition for their relatives by filing an Affidavit of Relationship (AOR).
Secondly, it is Canada which gives permission for family reunification, the person giving Sponsorship should be a Canadian citizen and, permanent resident, Secondly, The sponsor must be at least 18 years old, Moreover, The sponsor must be able to financially support the relative while they are in Canada, Lastly, The sponsor must not be receiving social assistance, with some exception.
However, we shall now discuss how deportation laws can result in families being split apart, we will discuss examples of the impact of deportation on children, spouses, or parents who are US citizens. In the United States today, over 16.7 million people live with at least one undocumented family member, often a parent. Among them, approximately six million are children under 18. As a result, immigration enforcement—and the constant fear it brings—deeply impacts the physical, emotional, and developmental well-being of millions of children. These actions don’t just separate families; they ripple through entire communities, affecting U.S. citizens ' children and leaving lasting scars. The deportation of parents and loved ones isn’t just a personal tragedy—it’s a challenge that touches the fabric of society as a whole.
When a parent is detained or deported, a child’s likelihood of facing mental health challenges—such as depression, anxiety, and intense psychological distress—significantly increases. Since late 2016, doctors and caregivers have noticed more children showing signs of stress and anxiety, including behaviors linked to “toxic stress,” driven by the fear that a loved one might be taken away.
Toxic stress occurs when children are abruptly separated from their parents, disrupting their sense of safety and negatively affecting their brain development. This level of stress doesn’t just leave emotional scars—it puts children at higher risk of long-term mental health issues like depression and PTSD. It can also lead to serious physical health problems later in life, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and even cancer.
Whether it’s a custody battle spanning two countries, a family struggling to reunite, or a spouse facing deportation, these challenges are more than just legal—they are profoundly personal
Fear and uncertainty within immigrant families often result in fewer people enrolling in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Without access to these vital health programs, children’s growth and development can be negatively impacted, and families may face increased financial strain. U.S. citizen's children with immigrant parents are more likely to go without health insurance compared to those whose parents were born in the U.S., leaving them vulnerable to unmet healthcare needs.
However, we will now discuss What precautions can be taken to improve the immigration system for families. Firstly, We must address the root causes driving asylum seekers to come to the U.S. in the first place.
While many Americans, inspired by their faith and core national values, are eager to welcome those seeking refuge, this eagerness is often accompanied by sorrow. It’s heartbreaking that so many people feel forced to abandon their homes and countries of origin.
People fleeing nations like Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala are often driven by factors such as poverty, rampant violence, environmental degradation, and widespread corruption. Faced with desperate and dangerous conditions, families are forced to make the agonising choice to leave everything behind in search of safety and opportunity.
To address the growing number of asylum cases, the U.S. should collaborate with other governments and organisations to make refugees’ home countries safer and more stable. This involves engaging in diplomatic negotiations, providing financial support to both local and international organisations working to improve living conditions, and creating economic and safety opportunities for families. By taking a proactive approach—through increased U.S. government aid and support from churches, businesses, and individuals—fewer families will feel the need to undertake the perilous journey to the U.S. border.
Secondly, We can expand accessible, legal pathways for migration closer to people’s homes. Many individuals who risk dangerous journeys to the U.S. border do so because it’s their only way to lawfully request asylum. But if there were opportunities to seek protection at a nearby U.S. consulate or in a neighboring country, most would much rather reach safety in the U.S. via a vetted and organised process—traveling by plane instead of risking their lives on a perilous trek. This approach mirrors the longstanding U.S. refugee resettlement program, which has successfully operated for decades.
For those escaping poverty rather than persecution, additional employer-sponsored visas could provide lawful migration options while simultaneously addressing the severe labor shortages in the U.S. These shortages contribute to inflation and slow economic growth, meaning such visas could benefit both migrants and the U.S. economy.
In conclusion, cross-border family law issues in immigration can deeply impact the lives of parents, children, and spouses caught between different legal systems. Whether it’s a custody battle spanning two countries, a family struggling to reunite, or a spouse facing deportation, these challenges are more than just legal—they are profoundly personal. Resolving them requires empathy, collaboration, and a legal framework that prioritises family unity and human rights. As the world becomes more interconnected, laws must evolve in ways that support, rather than separate, families. At the heart of every case is a simple truth: family belongs together.