On Tuesday, April 14, 2020, we hosted a webinar to discuss the administration’s most recent attack on migrants seeking protection by illegally turning back children and families at the border under the cover of “public health” and also the continued, devastating impact of the administration's Remain in Mexico program on children and families, including those we met in Matamoros in January. In case you missed the webinar, you can watch it here.

Within the United States, Young Center staff continue to support and fight for unaccompanied and separated children in government custody. Every one of our eight offices is up and running remotely with staff and volunteers meeting with children virtually—by Zoom and phone. We’re using the newest technology and some old-fashioned fun, including online checkers and virtual tours of places like Museo Frida Kahlo.

Despite a global pandemic, we continue to have successes. As you may have read, children in government custody are at risk of exposure to COVID-19. In many facilities, children live in close quarters, sharing bathrooms, and eating together in communal dining rooms. Our teams have worked around the clock to identify children who have not been exposed or who have tested negative for the virus, so that we can advocate for their swift and safe release to family. Last week, a mother on the East Coast picked up her son from government custody so they could return to the family’s home and quarantine together. Just this week, we secured the release of two very young siblings, who had spent months in custody, to a loving uncle and aunt who were also prepared to quarantine together.

We are also fighting to end the dangerous and unnecessary practice of requiring children to appear in immigration court in the midst of the pandemic. Our teams in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles have collaborated with other nonprofit organizations to persuade immigration courts to waive children’s appearances and allow us to participate in the proceedings by telephone. Other courts continue, as if nothing has changed, requiring children to appear in court or demanding their appearances by video from within government shelters. In one significant win, our team in New York argued that a child in detention should not be forced to make his full asylum claim over the phone to an immigration judge. The night before the scheduled telephonic hearing, the court date was cancelled.

When children are not able to stay in the U.S. and it's in their best interests to be reunited with family in home country, we are working to facilitate safe repatriation despite constantly changing standards within the U.S. and in the children’s home countries. Our advocacy has centered around making sure that children will be able to reunite with their families upon return rather than being quarantined for a long period of time or staying in a shelter for repatriated children. On Monday, two children we’ve worked with for many months returned to Central America to reunify with their families. Our teams in Phoenix and LA supported them every painstaking step of the process to ensure their safe return.

It's your generous support that allows us to continue this work and fight for the rights of children. Thank you for supporting us, now more than ever.