Young Center Child Advocates have been appointed to multiple children whose parents remain in MPP, while their children are here. They have witnessed first-hand the harm of these separations on loving families. We urge Congress and the public to demand an immediate end to the MPP program. Until then, federal policy must prohibit using MPP for any family members separated from children.

The Randy Tunac Courage in Immigration Award, named after a dedicated defender of human rights, celebrates those who have contributed to the legal immigration profession, served immigrant communities through advocacy, and brought awareness to pressing immigration issues.

We are inspired by Gabriel. He escaped violence, survived labor trafficking, and made his way to safety.

“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 an organization who gives voice to so many.” -Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds.

Ending a policy of prompt Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is harmful—for these young people, their families, and their communities.

Thirty years ago, the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Convention) to provide vital legal protections to children around the world. The Convention provides safeguards to protect children from human rights abuses such as trafficking, violence, and persecution.

Tomorrow, the Supreme Court will hear arguments in a group of cases that challenge the Trump administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. In highly anticipated oral arguments, the Court will consider whether it has the ability to review that decision and if so, whether the decision to end DACA and put millions of youth and young adults in jeopardy of deportation, was lawful.

“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.

“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.

Please join our Annual Houston Benefit, Champions for Immigrant Children, featuring Young Center Founder and Executive Director Maria Woltjen and Immigration Reporter at the Houston Chronicle Lomi Kriel on October 30th, 2019 to support our work with unaccompanied and separated immigrant children.

Dolores, * a 6-year-old girl from Guatemala, and her mother fled Central America after facing domestic violence. While they were crossing the border, Dolores’s mother was injured. She was told by border officials that they would watch over Dolores while she received medical attention. Instead, Dolores was transferred more than 2,500 miles away to a government shelter in New York.

There’s been no letup in the administration’s attacks on immigrant children and families. Children—whether they arrive at our border alone or with family—continue to face new threats intended to deny them the ability to ask for protection or to have a fair chance when they do. Here’s what’s happening.

I am the grandchild of immigrants. My paternal grandfather fled Vienna after Adolf Hitler took power in next-door Germany and was lucky enough to be able to come to the United States and start a new life. I know, in the marrow of my bones, that it is only the sheerest accident of history that it is other people’s children, and not my own, wailing for their missing parents in places of horror like Clint.

Guided by principles of child welfare and family unity, the Flores Settlement Agreement sets minimum standards for the detention, release, and treatment of immigrant children. The administration’s new regulations would eliminate the central protections guaranteed under Flores and would allow the indefinite detention of children.

“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.”

From Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen: If you do nothing else today, I hope you’ll read this story by my colleague, my treasured friend, Jajah Wu. It will make you cry. It will make you angry. It will make you thankful there are people like Jajah fighting for immigrant kids.

The rule, also known as “Asylum Ban 2.0,” prohibits some of the most vulnerable families and children from seeking asylum.

If any children do face the possibility of prolonged separation, the Young Center will be there to help them. We are collaborating with local actors and have offered to provide technical assistance to attorneys and child welfare workers navigating the complex intersection of immigration and child welfare systems. If any children do face the possibility of prolonged separation, the Young Center will be there to help them.

Recent data establishes that that CBP’s screening returns nearly every Mexican child, despite well-known risks of trafficking and persecution. We therefore recommend that policy makers reject any proposal that would subject all unaccompanied children to the same process as children from Mexico.