Judge Hanen’s Latest DACA Ruling is a Reminder of Congress’ Responsibility to Deliver Permanent Protections Now

Judge Hanen’s ruling does NOT affect the status of current DACA recipients. As of now, DACA remains intact for current recipients and renewals will continue to be processed.

Alexandra McAnarneySeptember 13, 2023

Young Center Demands Justice for Child Who Died at the Hands of Gov. Abbott

In response to the tragic news of a 3-year-old who died while being bused from Texas to Chicago under Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star, Gladis Molina Alt, the Executive Director of the Young Center, issued the following statement.

Alexandra McAnarneyAugust 14, 2023

Open Statement To The Media: ICE’s B-Roll Dehumanizes Kids - Please Don’t Use It

The use of this footage is shocking and dehumanizing, and ICE should immediately discontinue it.

Alexandra McAnarneyAugust 4, 2023

Young Center Condemns Texas’ Separation of Immigrant Families

Troopers working under Governor Abbott’s Operation Lone Star have torn apart at least 26 fathers from their children, charging the fathers with trespassing and holding them in state criminal custody while their spouses and children are transferred to Border Patrol agents.

Alexandra McAnarneyAugust 3, 2023

Five Years Later, the Fight for Justice for Separated Immigrant Families Continues

On this day five years ago, the U.S. government failed to reach a court-ordered deadline to reunite families unlawfully separated under the Trump administration’s Zero Tolerance policy. To this day, hundreds remain separated.

Alexandra McAnarneyJuly 26, 2023

Young Center Urges Biden Administration to Stop Defending its Illegal Asylum Ban and Restore Access to Asylum

Today, a federal judge in California blocked President Biden’s unlawful asylum ban. The court’s injunction is on hold for the next 14 days, leaving the administration’s asylum ban in effect for now.

Alexandra McAnarneyJuly 25, 2023

The Young Center Condemns Abbott’s Cruelty Against Immigrant Children and Families at the Border

According to a report released this week, Troopers in Texas pushed children, babies, and nursing mothers back into the Rio Grande or the extreme desert heat to prevent them from entering the United States, following orders from Texas Governor Greg Abbot and his administration.

StatementsErika AndiolaJuly 20, 2023

Executive Office of Immigration Review Formally Recognizes Role of Child Advocates in Immigration Proceedings

This week, on July 5th, the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) issued an important Director's Memorandum , intended to provide clarity and written acknowledgment to immigration judges across the country about the imperative role of Child Advocates.

Alexandra McAnarneyJuly 7, 2023

A Critical Step Forward: Updated ORR Policy Increases Children’s Contact with Family

Today, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) announced a vital policy change that will require daily contact between unaccompanied immigrant children in custody and their families.

Alexandra McAnarneyJune 26, 2023

How Many Court Rulings Will It Take for President Biden and Congress to Deliver Citizenship for Immigrant Youth?

The only way to stop these preventable deaths is to stop jailing families. To stop jailing children.

Erika AndiolaJune 1, 2023

Children Will Continue to Die in Immigration Jails if We Don’t Change Course

The only way to stop these preventable deaths is to stop jailing families. To stop jailing children.

Alexandra McAnarneyMay 21, 2023

170+ Organizations stand in opposition to the Sinema-Tillis Bill

More than 170 national, state, and local organizations have signed the below letter expressing our strong opposition to S.1473, introduced by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) and Thom Tillis (R-NC).

Alexandra McAnarneyMay 15, 2023

Young Center Mourns the Death of an Immigrant Child Seeking Protection

All children deserve to live full, safe, and healthy lives. Our hearts are with everyone, especially the child’s family, grieving this unimaginable loss.

Alexandra McAnarneyMay 12, 2023

President Biden’s Asylum Ban Shuts the Door on Families and Children, Returns Countless People to Danger

The finalized asylum ban rule, which is set to go into effect when Title 42 ends tomorrow, would prevent many children, families, and adults from being able to seek asylum in the U.S. based on their manner of entry or transit through other countries.

Alexandra McAnarneyMay 10, 2023

RGV Welcoming Committee Statement on Tragedy in Brownsville TX

The RGV Welcoming Committee is a group of individuals and nonprofits based in South Texas’s Rio Grande Valley and the adjoining Mexican state of Tamaulipas. These organizations and volunteers have welcomed migrants into the United States for at least the last two and a half years, and assisted those waiting in Mexico. Our mission is to serve every migrant with dignity, care, and respect

Alexandra McAnarneyMay 8, 2023

People Seeking Asylum Should Be Welcomed With Dignity, Not Troops

The #WelcomeWithDignity campaign for asylum rights is deeply concerned by reports that the Biden administration is sending 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S. border with Mexico.

Alexandra McAnarneyMay 3, 2023

Biden Announcement on Regional Migration Brings Benefits and Disappointments

Announced today, the Biden administration’s new plans to manage migration at the southern border includes a set of welcome benefits, as well as concerning drawbacks.

Alexandra McAnarneyApril 27, 2023

Power of Partnerships: Young Center Celebrates Collaboration with Viator and Bethany Houses of Hospitality at NYC Award Ceremony

We’re honored to have been able to attend the Mutual of America Financial Group’s award dinner in New York City to celebrate the exemplary work of our organization’s Child Advocate Program!

Alexandra McAnarneyApril 27, 2023

Expanding Rushed Screenings in CBP Custody is Expediting Cruelty

Our recommendations for what the administration should be doing instead are available here.

Alexandra McAnarneyApril 10, 2023