Updates from the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights


** Updates from the Young Center
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March 2022
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Last Friday, Young Center Executive Director Gladis Molina Alt spoke on a press conference where participants called for an immediate end to Title 42, which two administrations have misused to turn away more than 1.7 million asylum-seekers. Gladis highlighted her recent trip to the border and her conversations with families separated by the policy. She was joined by Representative Ayanna Pressley and Representative Joaquin Castro and leaders from Immigration Hub, Physicians for Human Rights, and the Center for Law and Social Policy. Click here to listen to the session and take action ([link removed]) .
The press conference was just the latest in our fight to end Title 42. Earlier this month, we joined a coalition of children’s rights advocates ([link removed]) in calling for the end of Title 42 and we released a statement ([link removed]) on how Title 42 is contributing to family separation.
Learn more ([link removed])
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In recent months, we have witnessed an outbreak of state laws and policies that attempt to strip protections from immigrant children. In February, Florida’s child welfare agency confirmed ([link removed]) that it will not issue or renew licenses for shelters or providers in Florida that care for unaccompanied immigrant children. In September 2021, Texas stripped licenses from children’s facilities ([link removed]) . The effort has left immigrant children in federal custody in Texas without a key oversight mechanism for reporting and investigating conditions in facilities. Most recently officials in Tennessee introduced a discriminatory bill ([link removed]) that would separate and criminalize immigrant families. Officials fromNew York
([link removed]) , Pennsylvania ([link removed]) , and Tennessee ([link removed]) have also spread harmful misinformation ([link removed]) about immigrant children who are reuniting with their families.

Earlier this month, the Young Center led an initiative—joined by more than 40 organizations who work on behalf of children—to demand an end to these attacks and to correct dangerous misinformation campaigns about migrant children and their families at the border and within the United States. Click here to read our joint statement ([link removed]) letting public officials know we won't be silent in the face of these attacks.
Learn more ([link removed])
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After serving as a pro bono immigration services provider, Aparna Puri was moved by the stories, tenacity, and resilience of undocumented Americans and asylum-seekers. When the opportunity presented itself to join the Young Center's Board of Directors, she signed up. Learn more about Aparna's work and her commitment to being part of the effort to welcome unaccompanied children here ([link removed]) .
Read the interview ([link removed])
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In early March, the Biden administration announced a long-awaited regulation and new policy that will provide clarity and certainty to children who have proven that they were abused, abandoned, or neglected and who cannot safely return to a parent. These children are recipients of the Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS); despite this protection, they often spend years in limbo, waiting for the opportunity to become lawful permanent residents due to an administrative backlog over which they have no control. The changes announced this month will provide young people with stability, including the ability to support themselves and contribute to their communities and our collective well-being.
Read our statement ([link removed])
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We now have a page dedicated to Young Center reports, op-eds, public comments, testimonies, declarations, briefs, and short explainers about policies impacting immigrant children. Click here to browse ([link removed]) .
Access Resources ([link removed])
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In case you missed it: we announced the date and some of the exciting speakers for our upcoming benefit! Click here to learn more and save your spot ([link removed]) .
Tickets ([link removed])
“I volunteer because immigrant children have the right to be protected against all forms of violence. They cross borders alone to seek refuge and we must honor and hold space for them in all possible ways.”
-Young Center-Los Angeles Volunteer Child Advocate Jessica Ferrer

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