The bill prohibits officials from separating children from their parents for the purpose of deterring immigration and tasks the Department of Homeland Security with using “the best interests of the child” as its guiding principle in decisions about immigrant children.
Read MoreThe Biden-Harris administration must take concrete and meaningful steps to rectify this harm and ensure that each family subjected to this particular harm—one with lasting consequences for the health of children and their parents—has an opportunity to return safely and receive permanent protection in the United States. Additionally, the administration and Congress must enact legislation that will prevent family separation in the future.
Read MoreLast week, a coalition of immigrant and children’s rights organizations filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court in opposition to the Trump administration’s so-called Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the Remain in Mexico policy, focusing on the harm to children caused by MPP.
Read MoreIf not for Elizabeth Frankel, there would be no Young Center. As we continue our work, we will endeavor to uphold her legacy, her commitment to young people, to the truth, to collaborative but zealous advocacy, and her attention to detail in each case we undertake, in each protocol we develop, in each paper we write. We are so deeply grateful for and honored to have had the opportunity to work at her side.
Read More“From family separation to the public charge rule to deportations during a global pandemic, the past four years have been a nightmare for immigrant children,” said Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen. “We hope that the new administration will not just right the wrongs of the past four years but begin to build an immigration system that treats children as children, recognizing their unique status.”
Read MoreIf our immigration system put the consideration of children’s best interests at the center of decision-making, it would look very different than it does now.
Read MoreWe are horrified and sickened, though not surprised, at the insurrection launched at our democracy yesterday. It was the fruit of a long, sustained campaign of lies and sabotage grounded in racism and hate. In response, we will continue our work of fighting for a democracy where the rights of all people—and especially all children—are honored, valued, and respected.
Read MoreIn September, we were appointed as Child Advocate for Kacee*, a teenager full of kindness and warmth for the other children in custody. Just two months earlier, Kacee was forced to flee Nicaragua to escape violence
Read MoreIf implemented, the regulations would jeopardize the safety and well-being of immigrant children by decreasing the ability of children and families to have a fair opportunity to be heard and to seek relief from deportation, as they are permitted to do under U.S. law.
Read MoreAs the organization tasked with defending the rights and best interests of vulnerable children in immigration proceedings, we urge DOJ to withdraw the rule in its entirely and to restore immigration judges’ ability to manage their dockets and protect due process rights for each of the individuals appearing before them through the use of continuances, administrative closure, and termination.
Read MoreThere is no denying that 2020 has been a difficult year. Despite the immense challenges we've faced and the ones ahead of us, at the Young Center, we're making space and time to celebrate the wins we had this year.
Read MoreYoung Center staff and volunteers built rapport with Evelin, Cindy, M, and Andrea so they’d share their stories without fear and talk about their wishes and dreams. They were able to find safety in the United States because a Young Center Child Advocate was by their side throughout their immigration proceedings and advocated for their rights and best interests.
Read More“The rule is an affront to both U.S. and international law which codifies the right of children to seek asylum and for decision-makers to act in children’s best interests. It also breaches U.S. treaty obligations, creating sweeping categories of mandatory denials and weakening due process protections for children.”
Read MoreEarlier this year, we had the honor of working with Noeli, 15, and Valeria, 12, two sisters who traveled more than a thousand miles to seek protection in the United States.
Read MoreWe’re so glad to have had the opportunity to help Miguel and Ramon. But policies like Remain in Mexico and the administration’s hijacking of the CDC to close the border to asylum-seekers have robbed thousands of children of the opportunity to remain with family and exercise their legal right to seek protection.
Read MoreGiving Tuesday, celebrated on December 1 this year, is a global day of giving and solidary, a day for people around the world to donate to and raise awareness about the causes and nonprofits they care about. At the Young Center, Giving Tuesday is essential for us reaching our fundraising goals for the year. This year, we hope to raise $100,000 to support our work with unaccompanied and separated immigrant children facing deportation. Here are ways you can help us achieve this goal.
Read More“The court’s decision today is a resounding victory for immigrant children and a relief to those of us who fight for their rights and safety.”
Read More“Voting in record-breaking numbers, Americans have chosen a new administration. Together, we now face the hard work of ending policies that harm children and—as importantly—building a new system centered on the needs and rights of children,” Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen said in a statement.
Read MoreThe next administration must quickly outline its commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of immigrant children. As a coalition of organizations dedicated to children’s rights, safety, health and development, we recommend immediate action on the following issues. We also call on the next administration to mandate that government actors consider the best interests of the child-including their expressed wishes, safety, family integrity, liberty, development, and identity-and support legislation to create such a mandate in federal law.
Read MoreOn Wednesday, October 28, 2020, the Young Center launched our latest initiative and report “Reimagining Children’s Immigration Proceedings: A Roadmap for an Entirely New System Centered around Children” in an event featuring Young Center Executive Director Maria Woltjen, Child Advocate Program Director Gladis Molina Alt, Policy Director Jennifer Nagda, Advocate for Children and Youth Elvis Garcia Callejas, and Tara Magner from the Chicago Commitment for the MacArthur Foundation.
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