Ethnographic insights into the age assessment for young migrants in Malta

Since Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean Sea located south of Italy and north of Libya, became an EU member state in 2004, it simultaneously turned into one of the important states of entry for migrants (Bordermonitoring, n.d., p. 4). About 20% of the total number of people arriving in Malta are assessed as unaccompanied minors (UAM) (Aditus, 2014, p. 2, interview with Refugee Commissioner, 19 June 2013). The conditions and treatment of the border regime are linked to that result and differ from those for people assessed as adults. Moreover, the age assessment result influences the daily lives of the young migrants and they have to act according to the expected behavior. Access to education as well as the housing situation and rights to social security are also linked to the result (SCEP Separated Children in Europe Programme, 2012). This article gives some insights into the age assessment process in Malta and reflects on its impact on the migrants assessed as minors. The following questions are addressed: