For Immediate Release

Washington, DC, February 21, 2020 –On behalf of the 9,600 members of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP), we condemn the recently detailed actions of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) and the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that called for otherwise confidential medical information to be used as a means to prosecute immigrant minors.

AACAP responds to this alleged practice with a comment letter addressed to the director and acting director of the ORR and ICE, respectively. As a psychiatric organization dedicated to the healthcare and well-being of minors everywhere, we view this breach of confidentiality as contrary to accepted medical ethics and effective patient care.

AACAP implores the ORR and ICE to end this practice of breaching the confidentiality of patient detainees seeking mental health treatment.

Access the full letter here.

For questions or comments, or to speak to an expert, please contact the communications department at communications@aacap.org, or by phone at 202-966-3594.

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The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry promotes the healthy development of children, adolescents, and families through advocacy, education, and research. Child and adolescent psychiatrists are the leading physician authority on children’s mental health. For more information, please visit www.aacap.org