FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Wednesday, November 16, 2023 

Washington D.C.— The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights applauds the introduction of the Protection of Kids in Immigrant Detention Act of 2023 or “PROKID Act,” a critical bill led by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) that would strengthen protections for immigrant children in federal custody. The PROKID Act would create a permanent and independent oversight office under the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) tasked with ensuring that children’s safety, well-being, and dignity are upheld wherever and whenever they may be held in government custody. 

Mary Miller Flowers, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights, said: 

“The PROKID Act seeks to ensure robust oversight of the government’s custody of immigrant children at a critical time when HHS is in the process of rulemaking which could potentially end judicial oversight of the UC Program. There must be a federal oversight authority to which children, their families, their lawyers, child advocates and others can turn to address concerns and hold the government accountable for children’s safety and well-being.  

The PROKID Act would urgently address this need by establishing the Office of the Ombudsperson which would help advance children's expeditious and safe release from government custody, encourage family reunification wherever possible, and serve as an advocate and independent monitor for children during their time in custody. After nearly 20 years advocating for children's fundamental rights to safety and family unity, the Young Center is proud to endorse all measures that seek to not only strengthen children's rights but also hold government officials accountable if and when these rights are violated."   

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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 Erika Andiola at eandiola@theyoungcenter.org