Enslige mindreårige asylsøkere

Abstract

In recent years, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of rejections of asylum applications from unaccompanied minors. In addition, asylum authorities have increased the use of temporary residence permits and deportations as a part of their more restrictive line against them. This article discusses how unaccompanied minor asylum seekers experience and deal with uncertainty caused by temporary residence permits, rejections of their asylum applications and fear of deportation. The study contributes to the field by explainning the complex mechanisms that lead to different coping strategies. It explores several cognitive and action-related strategies that unaccompanied minors use. It maintains that unaccompanied minors’ coping strategies closely relate to their formal status in the asylum process. Further, it shows that choice of strategy depends on how they consider their current situation, their future expectations and their resources.