無證移工未成年子女之身分及權益保障研究

Abstract

在全球化時代下，人口、物資、資金的移動形塑了人們便利生活。然而，人終非物品與金錢，一方面，主權國家透過國境管控以嚴格的掌管其領土內的人口流動，有別於資金及物資相對自由的流動模式，另方面，在以經濟效益為目的下，各國移民政策係高度的行政、立法導向，而容易忽視了本於人性尊嚴所衍生的憲法、國際公約之保障誡命。此使移工及其子女－尤其是未經允許入境或居留者－的生活照顧與基本生存面向，很大程度取決於國家是否有積極的意識與作為。 本文觀察無證移工之未成年子女之身分合法性以及各權益受保障的範圍與程度，以理解在法律位階受排除於外的兒童及少年的基本生活面貌，並嘗試為其困境，包含權益保障上的法制不完善、長時間生活在我國之兒少請求合法居留之可能等，提出回應。本文並發現，核心爭議在於，身分所涉之國家在邊境管制與移民政策上的主權行使，權益所涉及的立法者社會資源與財政之盱衡，以及兒童個人的基本權利間的衡平與調配關係。就此，須仰賴國際人權規範所架構之基本邏輯、憲法基本權利與一般原則之意旨的探求，以及借鑑美國移民法領域的豐富論述，以形成本文見解並提出制度建議。 研究結論得出，無證居留兒少係存有憲法上權利以使立法者應重新檢討既有外國人身分取得之法制，政策路徑上則有多元的選擇模式，本文並整理出相關選擇之利弊及可參照之制度。

In the era of globalization, the flow and mobility of labor, commodities and capital from around the world created our fast-paced and convenient lifestyle. Given that human beings per se are fundamentally distinct from goods and money, states exercise their sovereign power to take control over people on the move, while commodities and cash flows are subject to relatively lax control. This exercise of sovereign power, however, created what we nowadays called “undocumented workers and children”. Specifically, the (un)favorable immigration policies in sovereign states are closely intertwined with local’s economic conditions, industrial needs, etc. As a result, state sovereignty and administrative and legislative considerations played a leading role in shaping immigration policies, while the mandates and rights enshrined in constitutional and international covenants have lagged behind. Under this circumstance, migrant workers and their families’ rights - especially those who are undocumented - are often left in the shadows, both legally and socially. This study examines the range and protection regarding minor children of the undocumented migrant workers, specifically its legal status and economic, social and cultural rights. At the same time, it reveals which rights remain unprotected and what measures are to be enacted. This study identifies a core tension between the state's sovereign authority over border control and immigration policy, the legislative balancing of social resources and public finances, and the fundamental rights of individual children. In addressing this tension, the article draws upon the foundational logic of international human rights norms, the purposes and general principles of constitutional fundamental rights, and insights from the rich discourse in U.S. immigration law to formulate its analysis and institutional recommendations. The research concludes that undocumented children possess constitutional rights that require legislators to reexamine existing legal frameworks for foreigners' status acquisition. Policy pathways offer diverse options, and this study organizes the advantages, disadvantages, and referenceable systems of related choices.