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The bipartisan Immigration Court Efficiency and Children’s Court Act of 2023 would train judges and offer them the ability to see a special children-only docket. It would also provide children with resources for legal aid and ensure that children are "treated appropriately for their developmental age." Pending immigration court cases related to minors who crossed the border unaccompanied number nearly 62,000. According to data from the Justice Department, in nearly half of the cases, children defend themselves against deportation with no legal representation. That includes some children too young to communicate verbally. "Immigration courts were designed for adults and do not recognize the unique vulnerability of unaccompanied children," said Wendy Young, president of Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). " … Immigration courts should follow best practices from [other judicial] settings to create a more child-friendly environment which improves their access to due process." Separately, in a Chicago Sun-Times op-ed, school administrator Jerald McNair writes that despite the challenges and the rhetoric surrounding migrant families, public schools must meet the needs of migrant children. "In reality, it does not matter how we feel. We will embrace them and do our best to provide migrant children with a first-rate education, notwithstanding some of the challenges they may be facing," he writes. Welcome to Wednesday’s edition of The Forum Daily. I’m Dan Gordon, the Forum’s strategic communications VP, and the great Forum Daily team also includes Jillian Clark, Clara Villatoro and Katie Lutz. If you have a story to share from your own community, please send it to me at [email protected]. FALSE NARRATIVES — Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso (who is also a Forum board member) has spoken out against legislation that would allow Texas police to arrest migrants and send them back to the border, reports John Lavenburg of Crux. "I’m very disappointed in the narrative that is being promoted to this day that people who are fleeing to our border are a threat to us in the first place. It’s just a tremendous misunderstanding of what’s happening," Seitz said. MORE INJURIES — Since border barriers were heightened in 2019, El Paso hospitals have seen an increase in injured migrant patients, reports Aaron Nelsen of Texas Monthly. The most common injuries are caused by falling or jumping from some of the tallest sections of fence. Leg fractures, spine injuries and other traumas are among the cases. Experts warn of the implications of the barrier height, not only in Texas but other border cities such as San Diego. CUBA’S ARGUMENT — Cuban officials are hoping to use the increase in migration from the island to negotiate the lifting of some economic sanctions, reports Suzanne Gamboa of NBC News. The Cuban government also has argued that the U.S.’s listing it among states that sponsor terrorism is a factor in the country’s economic troubles and mass migration. GROWTH — Immigrants are driving economic growth and cultural uniqueness in cities across the United States, reports Kara Hackett for Input Fort Wayne. "Something we’ve seen trending across not only the country — and especially in Fort Wayne — is that immigrants are more likely to be entrepreneurs and business owners than their U.S.-born counterparts, which creates jobs and spurs local economies," said Micaela McConnell of the American Immigration Council. Thanks for reading, Dan P.S. Check out a timely new post on the Law Enforcement Immigration Task Force blog that addresses Cartels, Human Smuggling, and Unlawful Immigration.
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