On Monday, June 28, Gladis Molina Alt officially stepped into the role of Executive Director at the Young Center. Gladis began working with immigrant children in 2005, including as an attorney for unaccompanied children in detention. Since then, she's worked with children and immigrant rights organizations around the country, including the Young Center where for the last four years, she led our Child Advocate Program. Working with attorneys, social workers, case support specialists, and volunteer coordinators across our eight offices, Gladis has been integral to our work to advance a “best interests of the child” standard for immigrant children facing deportation proceedings in the United States. Born in El Salvador during the civil war in the 1980s, Gladis was brought to the United States at the age of 10 as her family sought refuge. From a young age, her experiences as an undocumented immigrant child and young adult inspired Gladis to become an immigration attorney and advocate on behalf of immigrant children. We are so excited for the future of the Young Center under Gladis's leadership. Join us in welcoming Gladis by following her on Twitter. |
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This 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. We recommended that the Special Rapporteur call upon the U.S. government to immediately end ongoing Title 42 expulsions, to terminate the policies and procedures underlying Title 42, to facilitate the safe return of anyone expelled from the United States pursuant to Title 42, and to take all necessary steps to ensure that the government does not engage in the future in exclusionary policies that fail to comport with its obligations under U.S. law and international human rights standards to asylum-seekers and children.
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"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
Simone Tseng is currently the Strategic Advisor in the strategic planning group of Rush University Medical Center; she previously served twelve years as Associate Vice President for Strategic Planning and Program Development. Prior to joining Rush, she worked in strategic and program planning at University of Chicago Medical Center. In addition to serving on the Young Center’s Board of Directors, Simone has volunteered as Child Advocate with Young Center-Chicago. Click here to read a brief interview with Simone about why she stands with immigrant children.
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On 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. Young Center staff from around the country discussed our best interests advocacy in court, countering implicit bias in advocacy, our fight to get a “best interests mandate” into federal law and policy, and how you can join our effort to reimagine the immigration system.
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There are many ways to join the Young Center in our fight for the rights and best interests of immigrant children. Here are ten actions you can take right now. Thank you for helping us ensure children don’t face the system by themselves and their safety, well-being, and rights are prioritized throughout immigration proceedings.
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"I decided to volunteer as a Child Advocate for immigrant children because I was once in their shoes. I was 14, when my family decided that my younger brother and I should immigrate to the United States to flee the violence in El Salvador. I experienced the same fear, anxiety, and trauma that most immigrant children are facing today. As a Child Advocate, I have been given the opportunity to share my personal experience and offer support and encouragement to children in similar situations."
-Young Center-Houston Child Advocate Jorge Sandoval
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