Final answer:
The conflict perspective is best suited for studying the treatment of child labor immigrants in the context of class, criminalization, and power, as it examines social stratification and power dynamics. It provides a macro-level analysis of how developed countries control and impact marginalized groups.
Step-by-step explanation:
A scholar interested in studying the inhumane, war-like treatment of child labor immigrants awaiting deportation upon an illegally run factory being busted may find the conflict perspective particularly useful. This theoretical perspective examines the ways in which social stratification and class divisions affect power dynamics and the criminalization of marginalized groups. By focusing on the relations of domination and subordination, a conflict perspective would likely delve into how developed countries exert control over vulnerable populations, like lower-status migrants from less-developed countries, which can reveal insights into systemic inequalities and power imbalances inherent in such scenarios.
In comparison, a functional perspective might look at the dysfunctions caused by the sudden influx of these underage asylum seekers and their impact on social systems. An interactionist perspective would be more focused on the micro-level interactions, such as the attitudes of protesters towards migrant children and the symbolic meanings of these interactions. However, the conflict perspective aligns closely with the intent to understand the broader issues of class, criminalization, and power within the context of child labor and immigration.