Separated Refugee Children in Canada: The Construction of Risk Identity

Stateless and parentless, separated refugee children may become the focus of multiple discourses concerning migration and youth. Relying upon the conceptual framework risk identity, this article explores the experiences, perspectives, and constructions of separated children in Canada. Interviews with separated children and stakeholders reveal two themes of risk. The first centers on separated children as refugees and can be understood in relation to “anti-refugee” discourse. The second centers on separated children as children, reflecting the occurrence of “anti-youth” discourse, particularly in relation to visible minority youth. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these discourses on separated children.