“This was a youth-led movement, and it is an incredible victory for the nearly 700,000 immigrants whose lives would’ve been upended by the Trump administration’s irresponsible decision to end DACA. But it is also a victory for the United States. Our country is stronger because of DACA recipients, many of whom have remained on the front-lines during COVID,” said Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen.
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From day one, this administration has made the elimination of protections for immigrant children a primary goal. If finalized, the new regulations would make access to asylum virtually impossible. But seeking asylum remains a human right—a right the Young Center has repeatedly fought to protect. We will fight against these regulations and against any other policy that undermines the safety, well-being, and rights of immigrant children.
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The Young Center’s statement on the Office of Inspector General report published on May 29, 2020 that finds the government separated more families than reported
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As protests demanding justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and countless others killed by police violence continue, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights stands in solidarity with victims and survivors of police brutality, their families, and their communities.
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Early this morning, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials deported a 16-year-old girl known as AMPV to Honduras, where she had fled physical violence, sexual violence, and death threats before seeking protection at the United States border
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We join our allies in immigrant and children's rights organizations in calling for an immediate halt to all immigration court proceedings, including and especially those impacting children, unless there is an urgent need for the hearing
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Houston and Corpus Christie, TX, March 9, 2020— Today, staff from the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights witnessed the first video-hearing (VTCs) for immigrant children in government custody in the Houston area. Most of these children were transported from government facilities to Houston’s immigration court, while others remained in programs located in Corpus Christie—but all of them were appearing before an immigration judge in Atlanta, who had no in-person contact with the children.
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Today the Trump administration's expansion of the travel ban, also known as the Muslim ban, goes into effect. The policy adds immigration and travel restrictions for people from six more countries including Nigeria, Sudan, Tanzania, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan and Myanmar.
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“The Young Center is thrilled to partner with UNICEF USA on this critical work. Collaborations like this are essential, especially now, when children face near constant obstacles.” Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen said about the support from UNICEF USA.
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“We’re thrilled to see swift and consistent decisions from multiple courts, each indicating that the rule is likely to be found unlawful,” said Young Center’s Policy Director Jennifer Nagda. “As we argued in our comment to the federal government, the rule targets immigrant families by forcing parents to choose between the services they need to care for their children and providing them with safe, stable futures. In short, the rule is yet another attack on children.”
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“Over the last few years, our perspective has grown and we’ve realized we have to do everything possible to foster more compassion and empathy in this world. History’s being written right now. We’re grateful to give back to organizations who give voice to so many,” said Lively and Reynolds.
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“Detention is never in the best interests of children. The Flores Agreement recognizes that children are different from adults, that they should not be detained for months, that detention harms children,” said Maria Woltjen, Executive Director at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.
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Angel’s Garage, the popular television show based out of Yermo, CA, is raffling off a one-of-a-kind 1968 Corvette Stingray to benefit the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights and the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.
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“We are deeply disappointed that Congress could not pass a clean bill that was focused solely on the needs of vulnerable children,” said Jennifer Nagda, Policy Director at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights.
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“Under this new policy, children will remain in precarious, unstable situations, vulnerable to violence, kidnapping and exploitation. Nothing about this policy is protective of migrant children.”
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“No child should ever be held in a facility intended to detain adults. Jackeline Amei Rosmery Caal Maquin, only seven years old, deserved the care and protection that all children need. We should be ashamed. She deserved better from us.”
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Yesterday’s grant will ensure our continued work in Chicago and at our eight programs across the country, where we are appointed to the most vulnerable children, including children forcibly separated from their parents, babies and toddlers, pregnant and parenting teenagers, children with mental illness or physical disabilities, and child trafficking survivors.
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“Separating families inflicts real harm on children. It is unconscionable. Separating families is designed to ensure they never have their day in court—they will either give up their claims to avoid separation, or they will have to appear in immigration court and make complex legal arguments while suffering from the trauma of separation,” said Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen.
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“If the administration implements these proposed rules, children and families will face indefinite immigration detention. This is unacceptable. Even brief periods of detention can cause psychological trauma and induce long-term mental health risks for children,” said Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen.
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“The Young Center is grateful for the generous support from Airbnb at this critical time and we hope this is the beginning of a great alliance as we work toward our mission of ensuring immigrant children are treated first as children. All children need safety, the love and care of family, and the ability to grow and develop.”
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