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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Friday, July 7, 2023 

Media Contact: media@theyoungcenter.org 

Washington D.C.— This week, on July 5th, the Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) issued an important Director's Memorandum on Child Advocates, which will have a life-changing impact for vulnerable immigrant children in government custody who are also navigating the complex immigration system after being placed in deportation proceedings. The memorandum is intended to provide clarity and written acknowledgment to immigration judges across the country about the imperative role of Child Advocates. 

Olivia Peña, Co-Director of the Child Advocate Program at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, said: 

"The EOIR memo on the Role of Child Advocates in Immigration Court is a resounding victory in our efforts to ensure key decisionmakers in children’s immigration cases better understand the value and role of Child Advocates. As the only non-profit in the country that connects immigrant children and youth in federal custody with independent Child Advocates, the Young Center plays a key role in ensuring unaccompanied children are quickly matched with a welcoming person in their corner who is determined to advocate for their rights, safety, and well-being. This memo finally acknowledges the importance of Child Advocates’ presence and practices in speaking up for what each child needs and deserves as their cases move through immigration court. All children deserve to have a Child Advocate. We respectfully urge immigration judges across the country to implement the guidance in this memo and consider the expertise and input of Child Advocates who are advocating on behalf of children’s best interests.” 

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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first. For press inquiries, please contact Anabel Mendoza at media@theyoungcenter.org