Friend,
Imagine coming to the United States in search of a better life at the age of 16 and being placed in government custody.
Imagine finding out that your lack of a birth certificate is the one thing getting in the way of being reunited with your sponsor and your dreams of studying and working in the U.S.
Then imagine being told that, because you’re about to turn 18, you’ll soon age out of government custody and be taken in by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This means you’ll likely get sent back to where you came from.
This exact situation happened to Emilio, who found himself racing against time.
Determined to make a difference, the Young Center partnered with Justice in Motion to register Emilio’s birth and obtain his birth certificate.
It’s truly amazing how one document can open multiple doors for a person.
Emilio’s birth certificate helped place him in foster care and supported him getting Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, a work permit, and a state identification card, which led to a more long-term placement where he can stay until he turns 21 years old.
These days, Emilio doesn’t worry about paperwork because he knows he's got folks who have his back. He enjoys playing baseball on a local community team and wants to become a police officer.
Your contribution to the Young Center this holiday season will ensure hundreds of young boys like Emilio can receive the advocacy they deserve to support their journey on the path to permanent protection.
