Some lawmakers—including a growing number of pro-immigrant Democrats—are attempting to stop the Biden administration from ending Title 42. Many say they will only vote for more Covid-19 relief funding next week if the policy stays in place. Take action now to remind them that our government has the capacity and resources to welcome people seeking safety at the border, protect public health, and keep children safe and with their families.
Read MoreHoa Huynh, and Sunny Yoon bonded over their cultural pride and in overindulging in Asian cuisines, all of which led to the birth of their e-commerce store WE ARE CHIMMI, which is short for "We Are Children of Immigrants."
Hoa and Sunny sat down with us to tell us why helping unaccompanied immigrant children was so important to them.
“Family unity is not a human right that should depend on where you were born. Children are children and belong with their families.”
Read MoreAs an immigrant myself, it was the stories, shared with vulnerability and courage, of those who gave up so much, in hope of a new beginning, that resonated with me the most.
Read MoreAs a community of organizations who work on behalf of children, we unite today to demand an end to attacks on immigrant children and to correct dangerous misinformation campaigns about migrant children and their families at the border and within the United States. Together, we are working to create policies that recognize the humanity and dignity of immigrant children—a system where children are valued, not targeted or vilified.
Read More“Title 42 puts children directly in harm’s way, by allowing federal officials to send any child who arrives with a parent right back to the very danger they just fled. No wonder parents then send their children back to the border alone to seek protection. Title 42 continues the horrifying practice of family separation at the very time the Biden administrations’ Family Reunification Task Force is trying to remedy for families separated by the prior administration. Despite a change in leadership, our immigration policies continue to fail children and violate international human rights law, as well as our own,” said Young Center Policy Director Jennifer Nagda.
Read MoreToday, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights announced the inaugural cohort of fellows in the Elizabeth Frankel Fellowship Program. The Fellowship was created to honor the memory of the organization’s former Associate Director, a staunch child rights advocate, and to train a new generation of attorneys to fight for the rights of unaccompanied immigrant children.
Read MoreLast month, Students United for Immigrant Equality at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill raised $300 for the Young Center’s work for immigrant children through a Valentine’s Day bake sale at their school. Rosa Elias, Michelle Jamanca, and Emma Fowler sat down with us to tell us why helping children in immigration proceedings was so important to them.
Read More"Uncertainty around one’s immigration status—especially for young people who must plan for the critical years of transition between childhood and adulthood without their parents—is outright stressful on one’s inner resources, not to mention outright debilitating to one’s ability to forge a path forward with access to equal opportunity. For all the young people who currently have SIJ Status, I am relieved and grateful for their ability to move beyond the fear that surrounds uncertainty. Today is a new dawn for them."
Read More“This barrage of anti-child, anti-immigrant fearmongering serves no one. It doesn’t serve our communities or strengthen our economy. It instills unnecessary fear in our neighborhoods, prevents children from reuniting with their families, and undermines the legal process for children to seek safety in the United States,” Young Center Executive Director Gladis Molina Alt said.
Read MoreIn response to the Department of Homeland Security seeking public comments on how the government can prevent family separation at our borders, the Young Center in collaboration with the Center for the Human Rights of Children at Loyola University in Chicago submitted a joint comment with our recommendations.
Read MoreMeet Sydette Harry, one of the Young Center’s supporters!
Read More“Ultimately, I’d love for immigrant children to be able to stay in their home countries with the resources and support they need to take root and thrive. Until this becomes reality, however, I dream of a society that welcomes, protects, and sees them for what they are: children. My dream is that we would all shed our political, socially constructed biases and open our arms to educate, house, and nurture immigrant children.”
Read MoreOn the anniversary of the Biden administration taking office, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights held a webinar to discuss the administration’s approach to immigration policy and the organization’s strategy for making real gains in our fight for immigrant children’s rights. Click here to watch the webinar.
Read MoreThe Society of American Law Teachers posthumously honored Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights’ Associate Director Elizabeth Frankel with the M. Shanara Gilbert Human Rights Award. The award recognizes the contributions of individuals or groups who are tireless advocates for social justice, human rights, equality, and justice.
Read MoreAfter four years of relentless attacks on the rights of children and families seeking safety in the United States, 2021 was an opportunity for a new administration to make lasting change. While we made progress on certain fronts, the Biden-Harris administration did not deliver on the campaign promise to build a “modern and humane immigration system.” Here are four issues where we'll continue the fight in 2022.
Read More"This Fellowship is something Liz would've wanted—an opportunity for law students to learn to advocate zealously and effectively for immigrant children and families."
Read MoreThese are only snippets into the complex and nuanced stories of the children we serve at the Young Center. Each child's story, strengths, and needs are unique, and we meet them where we are needed. We fight for children every step of the way, from getting them into less restrictive shelters to finding them appropriate long-term homes. This work is possible because of your support.
Read MoreIn fiscal year 2021, we served more children than any year before. Our staff and volunteers across eight Young Center offices met with children in immigration proceedings every week, listened to them, and bore witness to their stories and experiences. We advocated for children's safety and well-being and fought tooth and nail to reunite separated families.
Read MoreClick to watch a short animation film about Young Zheng, one of thousands of children served by the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights and the organization’s namesake.
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