Final answer:
The Interstate Compact on Juveniles does apply to runaways, providing a system to return juveniles who have run away to their state of residence. It is separate from immigration laws such as the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008, which applies to unaccompanied immigrant minors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student asked whether the Interstate Compact on Juveniles applies to runaways. The Interstate Compact on Juveniles is an agreement that facilitates the return of juveniles who have run away from home to their state of residence. This act does indeed apply to runaway juveniles, providing a legal framework for them to be safely and legally returned to their home state.
When discussing unaccompanied minors, especially in the context of immigration, the United States has a variety of laws and legal precedents that apply, such as the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008. This provides unaccompanied minors from non-contiguous countries a hearing with an immigration judge and the possibility of asylum based on credible fear of persecution or torture. These laws primarily address issues related to immigrant children, rather than domestic runaways targeted by the Interstate Compact on Juveniles.