And other updates from the Young Center


** Updates from the Young Center
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July 2021
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Beginning in March 2020, the U.S. government ordered the summary expulsion of all undocumented noncitizens arriving at the border, under the false pretense of preventing the spread of COVID-19. This policy, known as “Title 42,” denies migrants the right to seek protection from persecution. But the policy does not apply to other noncitizens or travelers arriving at the border. This Trump-era policy has categorically denied over 800,000 migrants, including tens of thousands of children, access to asylum proceedings as required by U.S. obligations under the Refugee Convention. While the Biden administration has withdrawn the policy for unaccompanied children, it continues to turn away other vulnerable asylum-seekers. These expulsions disproportionately harm Black migrants seeking protection—from countries such as Haiti and Cameroon—and other asylum-seekers who are returned to Mexico and often targeted with racialized violence, abuse, and exploitation. Join us in calling on the U.S. government
to end Title 42 once and for all. Click here and retweet a Young Center message ([link removed]) about the issue.
Uplift ([link removed])
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No child becomes an adult overnight. And no child should fear going to jail on their 18th birthday. For Sofia, as a transgender girl, the possibility of ending up in an immigration detention facility for adults was especially frightening. With just a few weeks remaining before Sofia would have been transferred to an adult detention facility, her Young Center Child Advocate jumped into action and advocated for her release to a youth transitional housing program. After her release, Sofia gifted her Child Advocate this beautiful painting depicting her dreams.
Note: To protect children’s privacy, we rarely share their real names publicly. We’ve done so here with Sofia’s permission.
Read Sofia's Story ([link removed])
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Young Center volunteer Child Advocates are the heart of our work with children. They meet with children in government custody every week, listen to their stories, and make sure their voices are heard. They accompany children throughout their time in immigration proceedings and bear witness to their experiences. We asked our volunteer Liza Rivera to reflect on her role as a Child Advocate. Click here to read her blog. ([link removed])

In 2020, 304 Young Center volunteers were appointed as Child Advocate for 413 children. They contributed more than 4,420 hours of their time accompanying the children and helping us advocate for their best interests. The 2020 cohort of volunteers comes from diverse backgrounds to meet the needs of children who journey to the United States from across the globe; they speak 36 different languages! To learn more about volunteering with the Young Center, visit our website. ([link removed])
Read Liza's Reflection ([link removed])
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"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."–Young Center Supporter Barrie Landry

At the Young Center, we are fortunate to have committed supporters who have made our work possible for years. Barrie Landry is among our most dedicated champions. Click below to read a brief interview about why she stands with immigrant children.
Read the interview ([link removed])
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Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children? Do you want to advocate for immigrant children and help change our immigration system to one that treats children as children? We are currently hiring team members in Chicago, Houston, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, and New York.
Explore Careers ([link removed])
"As a Young Center Child Advocate, I get to be the voice I needed as a child. I hope that I can bring some comfort to the children I work with and emphasize that they are more than their immigration status."
-Young Center-San Antonio Volunteer Child Advocate Jessica Barron

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The Young Center works with the most vulnerable unaccompanied and separated immigrant children, so their voices are heard, and their best interests are protected. We also advocate for an immigration system that treats children as children. To learn more about our work, visit ** theyoungcenter.org ([link removed])
or follow us on social media. ** Click here to donate. ([link removed])
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Copyright © 2021 Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights. All rights reserved.

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Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights . 2245 S. Michigan Ave, Suite 301 . Chicago, IL 60616 . USA