I signed up to be a volunteer Child Advocate not only because it felt like a tangible way to make a difference in the life of a child or because I come from a family of immigrants. I signed up because we have to look at all children as our own children. If we did that, no child would be unsafe, no child would be denied safety, no child would be left to fend for themselves.
Read More“This policy has trapped more than 70,000 people, including tens of thousands of children in dangerous conditions in northern Mexico while they await hearings on their asylum claims. Children and families subjected to this cruel program not only fled violence in their own countries but were also subjected to new threats to their safety in Mexico, including kidnapping, extortion, and sexual violence,” said Young Center Executive Director Gladis Molina Alt
Read MoreClick here to find out how to #BeAWaymaker
Read More“My dream for immigrant children is that they can more easily seek refuge in another country when they need to flee poverty or violence. Each child should be given the opportunity to live a safe and secure life where their potential can be reached.”
Read MoreA partir de este golpe más reciente al programa, millares de activistas, beneficiarios del programa, y jóvenes elegibles para aplicar a DACA, están instando al Congreso a tomar acción y garantizar una vía hacia la ciudadanía para todas las personas indocumentadas, que priorice a los DREAMers, a las personas con Estatus de Protección Temporal, titulares de salidas forzosas diferidas (DED por sus siglas en inglés), y a los trabajadores agrícolas y esenciales en un proyecto de ley de reconciliación que se está debatiendo en estos momentos en Washington, D.C
Read MoreCongress can ensure a path to citizenship for all undocumented people, prioritizing DREAMers as well as Temporary Protection Status holders, Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) holders, farmworkers, and essential workers in the reconciliation bill that is being worked out right now in Washington, DC.
Read MoreThe children we work with at the Young Center are some of the most courageous, most resilient, and strongest human beings, capable of changing the landscape of our world, so by helping them, we help build our future.
Read MoreIn 2020, the Trump administration intensified its attacks on the rights of immigrant children and families. From turning away children and asylum-seekers at the border under the cover of COVID-19, to nearly decimating the asylum system, to detaining children in hotels under the supervision of adult ICE contractors with no child welfare expertise, the administration endangered the lives and safety of children at every turn. We fought tooth and nail against these assault and to protect legal safeguards for children.
Read MoreYoung Center Child Advocates are appointed to the most vulnerable immigrant children facing deportation, including children forcibly separated from their loved ones at the border, children with mental or physical disabilities, teens who are pregnant or parenting, children who have survived human trafficking, infants and toddlers who are not able to voice their wishes, teens who are 17 years old and therefore exposed to the risk of adult immigration detention on their 18th birthday, and children who have witnessed or experienced severe violence.
Read MoreBrothers Miguel, 11, and Ramon, 9,* and their father were forced to live in a refugee camp in Juarez under the Trump administration’s dangerous Remain in Mexico policy. A Young Center Child Advocate fought for their right to be safe and to be with their mother.
Read MoreWe know that no child becomes an adult overnight. No child should fear going to jail on their 18th birthday. For Sofia, as a transgender girl, the possibility of ending up in an adult immigration detention facility was especially frightening. With just a few weeks remaining before Sofia would have been transferred to ICE adult detention, her Young Center Child Advocate jumped into action and advocated for her release to a youth transitional housing program.
Read MoreThanks to your support, despite relentless attacks on immigrant children’s rights, we fought for the rights and best interests of more unaccompanied and separated children than ever before in 2020.
Read MoreOn Tuesday, June 22, Young Center staff, volunteers, and supporters gathered for a webinar on the organization's fight to protect the best interests of children facing deportation. At the webinar, Young Center staff from around the country discussed our best interests advocacy in court, our fight to get a “best interests mandate” into federal law and policy, and how anyone can join our effort to reimagine the immigration system.
Read More"It is difficult for most of us to comprehend the trauma that many of these children have experienced even before leaving their home countries, and then on their long journeys to the United States. A parent must feel so much desperation and fear in order to send their child on a long dangerous trip to the border."-Young Center Board Member Simone Tseng
Read MoreImmigrant children come to our border seeking protection from around the world. They travel hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to reach safety. They risk everything to tell their stories. They show us their strength as they build meaningful relationships with their Young Center Child Advocates and fight to reunify with families and live where they will be safe. Some become Waymakers for other children seeking safety. It's impossible to capture their experiences in a few paragraphs but here are snapshots of three stories.
Read MoreThis month, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights called on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants to fully investigate the U.S. government’s application of Title 42, a policy that expels asylum-seekers under the guise of protecting public health during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read MoreThe Biden administration inherited a disaster. For years, the Trump administration villainized immigrant children, kept them in government custody, and incarcerated their parents and sponsors. Thousands of children unlawfully turned away at our border by the Trump administration—without any inquiry about their safety—are returning to again seek protection. Others continue to flee extraordinary violence in their countries. Here are our recommendations for protecting unaccompanied children at the border.
Read MoreOn Thursday, May 13, 2021, Young Center supporters, staff, volunteers, and ambassadors gathered online to celebrate the courage and resilience of immigrant children. We honored our very first Waymaker: Founder and Executive Director Maria Woltjen, who will be retiring at the end of June after 18 years of passionately fighting for unaccompanied immigrant children and changing the system to integrate child protection principles into practice, policy, and the law. We are so thankful to everyone who participated in the event and made it a success. In case you missed this inspiring evening, you can watch the highlights in the video below.
Read MoreToday, the Young Center’s Board of Directors announced that it has selected Gladis Molina Alt as organization’s next executive director. Our Founder and Executive Director Maria Woltjen is retiring at the end of June after 18 years at the helm of the organization.
Read MoreThursday, April 29, marks the 100th day of the Biden-Harris administration. During this time, the administration has taken significant steps towards welcoming unaccompanied immigrant children to the United States, but there is still no federal law requiring every agency to consider children’s best interests in every decision.
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