Identity scaffolding as a moral need in the caretaking of unaccompanied refugee minors

A shift from 'tick-box' integration to an identity-centred framework is both ethically necessary and practically effective. Policymakers should implement identity impact assessments, invest in culturally informed mentorship and mental-health services, and engage URMs in codesigning support programmes. Such measures can mitigate identity distress, bolster civic inclusion and guide future research on the political dimensions of national identity curation.