Flight Risk of Foreign Born Parents With Children (June 12, 2021) [pdf]

This publication reports on research data documenting that the parents most likely to kidnap children internationally at those who are most able to travel freely to and from the U.S. and parents with close ties abroad and the means to travel (e.g., dual nationals and foreign born parents who are naturalized citizens, lawful permanent residents, have visas that allow for multiple entries into the U.S., or work visas that allow for travel abroad. It also discusses steps courts and attorneys can take to prevent parental kidnapping and best practices for responding when an opposing party argues in court that the immigration status of a parent makes it likely that the parent will flee the U.S. with the children if the immigrant parent is awarded custody.