Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

December 10, 2025 at 3:01 PM

On Human Rights Day, we need to ensure immigrant families are safe, supported, and free. 

Dear Friend,  Mirsy Alva-Lopez came to the United States in 2018 from Guatemala because she wanted to give her children a dignified and safe future. So you can imagine her horror when she was immediately detained at the U.S.-Mexico border, where immigration officials tore her apart from her 3-year-o…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

December 6, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Double Your Impact for 20 Years of Advocacy

$20,000 match in honor of 20 years. Double your impact for immigrant children today.Dear Friend,  Our giving season continues, and we’re thrilled to share a new opportunity to double your impact for immigrant children and families in our communities. Now, through midnight on December 31st, your gift…

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  Meghan Jorgensen · [email protected]

December 3, 2025 at 5:14 PM

We did it! We raised over $100,000 for unaccompanied immigrant children!

Let's keep up the momentum. DONATE TODAY. Friend, We did it. Thanks to the generous support of our community, we not only met our goal of raising $100,000. We exceeded it and raised $102,312.  We are grateful to each and everyone of you who gave a gift and uplifted our call for donations. Your cont…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

December 3, 2025 at 2:15 AM

We're almost at the finish line! Help us meet our Giving Tuesday goal!

Accompany us today! DONATE TODAY. Friend,  This is it! We are almost at the finish line.  We are simply in awe with how you and the rest of the Young Center community have shown up for immigrant children and their families. As of 9 pm ET, with the support of a $25,000 and $20,000 match, we've manag…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

December 2, 2025 at 11:15 PM

Children like Franco are why we need your support on Giving Tuesday.

Accompany us today! DONATE TODAY. Friend, The clock is ticking on our Giving Tuesday fundraising campaign! So far, we’ve managed to raise $60,268. Thanks to your incredible support, we’re so close to reaching our goal of $100,000 and we’ve received an additional match of $20,000.00! Every gift make…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

December 2, 2025 at 8:46 PM

We’re at our Giving Tuesday halfway point! Help us reach our goal so that children like Elvia can find safety, stability, and community.

Accompany us today! DONATE TODAY. Friend, We’re at our Giving Tuesday halfway point! So far, thanks to the accompaniment of our Young Center community, we’ve been able to raise $21,000.00 and an anonymous donor has said they’ll be matching your contributions dollar for dollar up to every $25,000.00…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

December 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM

No matter what, we won’t quit protecting immigrant children.

Accompany us today! DONATE TODAY. Friend, Imagine being woken up in the middle of the night, lights suddenly flooding your room, and a hurried voice telling you to pack everything you own into one small bag.     That’s what happened to Elena*, a 12-year-old Indigenous girl from Guatemala, as she fe…

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  Jennifer Nagda · [email protected]

November 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM

Immigrant children need a champion in their corner. Give a gift and double your impact today!

Friend,  No child should have to face our nation’s complex immigration system alone. As the only non-profit in the country that connects immigrant children and youth in federal detention with independent Child Advocates, I am writing to tell you  how the Young Center plays a key role in ensuring ch…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

November 20, 2025 at 8:53 PM

Help us strengthen our community so we can guarantee no parent is ever separated from their child.

Dear Friend,  This week, we shared a New York Times piece which featured the emblematic story of Maribel Lopez, who was hastily deported to Guatemala despite a pending asylum appeal and separated from children, including her two-year-old toddler.  Despite her heartbreak and fear, Maribel bravely sh…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

November 17, 2025 at 6:42 PM

A mother was deported in error, her 2-year-old son was left behind.

It shouldn’t happen. But it did. Friend,  After fleeing years of horrific abuse in her home country of Guatemala, Maribel Lopez was finally protected from deportation from the United States thanks to a pending asylum appeal.  A mother of three, Maribel worked from 4:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the wra…

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  Bernie Salazar · [email protected]

November 14, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Why I support the Young Center: A Volunteer's Story

Friend,  Several years ago, I was confronted with a breaking news story featuring a little girl who was being detained alongside her mother at the Mexico-U.S. border. She was crying out for her mother. The fear on her face was unforgettable. I was struck by how much that little girl resembled my da…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

November 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM

Save the Date: Accompany Immigrant Children on Giving Tuesday!

Friend,  Immigrant children who are in detention are profoundly alone. They are separated from their homes and families by thousands of miles. Sometimes, there is not a single person in their detention facility who speaks their language. They are required to answer painfully personal questions aske…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

October 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM

Thank you for Being a Waymaker!

Friend,  On September 30, we celebrated the last day of our Waymakers Virtual Mileage Challenge. Our Young Center Community came out in full force walking, rolling, running, dancing, and wagging to honor the journeys of children who come to the United States on their own in search of dignity and …

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

September 22, 2025 at 3:51 PM

The Quarterly Brief: There's still one week left to Be A Waymaker and Celebrating 10 Years of the Children’s Immigration Law Academy.

July - September 2025  To read the full version of the report, you can click the button below. Read the report here. From significant delays in children’s reunification with their families, to increased ICE raids and arrests leading to more family separations, new government policies and actions ar…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

September 16, 2025 at 5:19 PM

We're at the Mileage Challenge Half-Way Point!

Friend,  September is a time when our Young Center Familia comes together to celebrate the month-long Waymakers Mileage Challenge and honor the journeys of the children who come to this country in search of safety, dignity, and the pursuit of their dreams. It’s also a month when Hispanic and Latino…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

September 8, 2025 at 2:30 PM

Happening Today | Monday September 8 @ 12 PM ET: Webinar Update on Illegal Deportation Flight of Guatemalan Kids

Dear Friend, Imagine lying in bed as a child. Thinking that you’re safe, you fall asleep, only to be shaken awake with no warning by a stranger in the middle of the night. This stranger angrily tells you it’s time to get up and you only have two hours to pack your things. Confused and exhausted, y…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

September 4, 2025 at 9:31 PM

Happening Monday September 8: Webinar Update on Illegal Deportation Flight of Guatemalan Kids

Dear Friend, Imagine lying in bed as a child. Thinking that you’re safe, you fall asleep, only to be shaken awake with no warning by a stranger in the middle of the night. This stranger angrily tells you it’s time to get up and you only have two hours to pack your things. Confused and exhausted, y…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

September 3, 2025 at 1:40 AM

URGENT: Stand with Us to Stop the Unlawful Removal of Children

Dear Friend, Imagine being a child in a foreign country, alone and afraid, being loaded onto a bus in the dark, late hours of the night  to be unexpectedly and  unlawfully sent back to your home country. This scenario unfolded over the weekend, but thankfully, a judge temporarily blocked the Trump…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

August 28, 2025 at 3:07 PM

Race Day is Almost Here! We're Taking On Every Mile, Every Step, Every Child

Friend,  On Monday, September 1st, we're kicking off our 5th Annual Waymakers Mileage Challenge.Together, our community will log 20,000 miles—a powerful act of solidarity with immigrant children whose own journeys across borders were taken in search of safety. Our goal: to raise $100,000. At a time…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

August 20, 2025 at 7:45 PM

Pack the Courts to Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth!

Friend,   The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights and our partners at the End SIJS Backlog Coalition are calling on allies to show up to federal court in Brooklyn on September 4th in solidarity with youth with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.  What is Special Immigrant Juvenile Status?Sp…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

August 14, 2025 at 9:05 PM

There's two days left to lock in Early Bird pricing for our Waymakers Mileage Challenge!

Do you know what a Waymaker is, Friend?  A Waymaker is someone who stands up for kids, no matter where they come from. A Waymaker is someone willing to walk a mile (or more) in someone else's shoes.  A Waymaker is someone like you or me, taking a step for immigrant children, in order to honor their…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

July 31, 2025 at 3:30 PM

Sign up to #BeAWaymaker and lock in Early Bird Pricing before it's too late!

Friend, The clock is ticking! Starting September 1st, we're kicking off our 5th Annual Elizabeth Frankel Waymakers Mileage Challenge, where we'll be collectively walking, running, or rolling 20,000 miles as a powerful act of solidarity with immigrant children who come to the United States on their…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

July 17, 2025 at 3:12 PM

The Quarterly Brief: Our 2024 Annual Report is here!

April - June 2025  To read the full version of the report, you can click the button below. READ THE REPORT HERE In 2024, we made enormous strides. We celebrated the opening of our tenth Child Advocate Program site in Grand Rapids, Michigan. We joined a coalition of immigrant rights organizations …

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  Jennifer Nagda · [email protected]

July 10, 2025 at 6:46 PM

The budget bill will hurt all children. Make a gift today to help us keep fighting.

Friend, Last week, Congress passed a reconciliation bill that will inflict devastating harm on unaccompanied children and children detained their families, despite a host of long-standing, bipartisan laws that exist to protect children.  Congressional and White House leaders know their policy goal…

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  Jorge Sandoval · [email protected]

July 1, 2025 at 2:13 PM

From Unaccompanied Child to Volunteer Child Advocate.

Friend,At 14, I arrived in the U.S. as an unaccompanied child—a journey that changed my life forever.   Learning a new language and adjusting to a new culture were difficult transitions, but with my family’s support and encouragement, I was able to navigate them more smoothly.    After many years o…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

June 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM

We must remain grounded in a vision of a future where every immigrant child is safe, free, and supported by the love of family and community.  

Friend,On this National Immigrant Heritage Month, I’m particularly reminded of the strength and resilience of the immigrant children with whom we are honored to fight for every single day.  Even as government attacks on immigrant children’s rights grow, I remain grounded in the Young Center’s visio…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

June 19, 2025 at 2:01 PM

On World Refugee Day: Become a Waymaker for Immigrant Children and their Families.

Friend, We’re excited to announce early bird registration for our 5th Annual Elizabeth Frankel Waymakers Mileage Challenge!    The Elizabeth Frankel Waymakers Mileage Challege is named after Elizabeth Frankel. A tireless advocate, waymaker, and friend, Elizabeth joined the Young Center in late 2009…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

June 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM

Meet Daniel: A Journey from Survival to Safety

Friend,Over the past 20 years, we’ve had the honor of accompanying and fighting alongside over 8,000 children, striving to ensure that each one of them is safe, supported, and free.  We have advocated for the rights and best interests of resilient children like Daniel,* a 13 year old boy from Hondu…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

June 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM

On National Immigrant Heritage Month, Become a Waymaker for Immigrant Children and their Families.

Friend,  We can’t deny that we are facing a dark hour for immigrant families, communities and advocates.    The Trump administration threatens the lives of immigrants daily, placing their right to lawful protections and due process at stake.     Institutions and organizations that stand for the dig…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

May 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM

Reminder: Webinar June 5 1 PM ET | The fight for due process and legal representation: Why children need access to government-funded attorneys

In late March, the Trump administration cut off essential legal services under a contract that provides legal assistance to children who arrive in the United States without a parent or adult guardian. The decision immediately impacted the lives and well-being of 26,0000 children.  Without governme…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

May 20, 2025 at 5:13 PM

Tell the Office of Refugee Resettlement: Protect the information of children and sponsors.

Children must be released without unnecessary delay. Friend,  The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) published a new rule that gives Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) broad access to the immigration status of sponsors and families of unaccompanied children for enforcement purposes and remo…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

May 13, 2025 at 6:49 PM

Save the date! Webinar June 5 1 PM ET | The fight for due process and legal representation: Why children need access to government-funded attorneys

*Resending with the correct link. Apologies for the inconvenience* In late March, the Trump administration cut off essential legal services under a contract that provides legal assistance to children who arrive in the United States without a parent or adult guardian. The decision immediately impact…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

May 13, 2025 at 5:33 PM

Save the date! Webinar June 5 1 PM ET | The fight for due process and legal representation: Why children need access to government-funded attorneys

In late March, the Trump administration cut off essential legal services under a contract that provides legal assistance to children who arrive in the United States without a parent or adult guardian. The decision immediately impacted the lives and well-being of 26,0000 children.  Without governme…

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  Mirce Alva Lopez · [email protected]

May 8, 2025 at 3:16 PM

As mothers, we need to keep fighting for all children.

The following message is from Mirce Alva Lopez, who was separated from her child when she arrived in the United States. They were reunited in 2018 after four months apart. Friend, I came [to the United States] because I had nowhere to live and I wanted to give my son a better future. But [when I a…

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  Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

April 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM

The Quarterly Brief: Announcing our Waymaker Award Recipient and Celebrating our Volunteers!

January - March 2025  If you live in the Illinois or Michigan area, please join us for our Homecoming Reception on Thursday May 15th. You can purchase your ticket by clicking below! RSVP HERE We are delighted to share that the Young Center will be honoring Help for Children (HFC) with the 2025 Mari…

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  The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

April 7, 2025 at 4:30 PM

20 Years of Fighting for Immigrant Children: Join Us Tomorrow for Our Video Premiere!

Dear Friend,  We're just one day away from our 20th Anniversary panel discussion and video premiere! We're looking forward to seeing you tomorrow for an inspiring conversation about how we can use the transformative power of storytelling to defend immigrant children and families.  REGISTER NOW Tues…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

April 3, 2025 at 3:43 PM

Immigrant children seeking safety alone should be met with compassion, dignity, and a fair opportunity to be heard.

Stand with us.  Friend,  Immigrant children weather storms of all kinds when they make journeys to our borders alone. After fleeing abuse, violence, trafficking or the lack of basic human needs, unaccompanied children seek a safe place to land, where they can live with family in their communities, a…

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  The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

March 24, 2025 at 3:03 PM

It Starts With A Child's Story: Register Now for Our 20 Year Celebration!

Dear Friend,  In honor of the Young Center's 20th Anniversary, we are hosting a virtual panel discussion and video premiere. We hope you can attend! The event will bring together instrumental members of our community who will reflect on how we can uplift the voices of immigrant families, change har…

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  The Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights · [email protected]

March 17, 2025 at 3:01 PM

Join Us on April 8 for A Celebration of 20 Years and Our Exclusive Video Premiere!

Dear Friend,  As the Young Center commemorates our 20th Anniversary, we are hosting a virtual panel discussion where we will explore the power of storytelling. Since our beginnings at the University of Chicago, we have had the honor and privilege to uplift the voices of the immigrant children and f…

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  Marisa Chumil · [email protected]

March 13, 2025 at 2:46 PM

Celebrating Social Workers at the Young Center (and beyond)

Dear Friend, My journey with the Young Center started in 2009 as a social work intern. Back then, I was part of a small but mighty team of attorneys and a part-time administrative assistant who worked tirelessly to advocate for and accompany immigrant children arriving in the United States on their …

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  Anne Kelsey · [email protected]

February 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM

Take the Pledge to Protect Immigrant Children.

Help us defend the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) Dear Friend,  Right now, unaccompanied immigrant children are under attack. The new administration has renewed efforts to weaken protections for these kids, falsely calling essential legal safeguards “loopholes.” Unaccomp…

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  Young Center Board and Staff · [email protected]

February 13, 2025 at 3:02 PM

This Valentine's Day: send a message of support, love, and hope to immigrant children in government custody.

Friend, It's hard to imagine what it's like to be a kid right now, let alone an immigrant child or youth in government custody as they wait to hear if they’ll be able to find safety and live with dignity in this country only to be met with uncertainty, fear, and rejection.   For 20 years, the Young …

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  Young Center Board and Staff · [email protected]

January 30, 2025 at 4:47 PM

Impact comes from sustained awareness, not scattered focus.

Friend, When faced with an information overload, the brain’s natural stress response is to disengage.  And that’s precisely what the Trump administration is intent on doing with its deluge of Executive Orders attacking immigrant communities, families, and children. By shocking us into a cognitive bo…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

January 21, 2025 at 6:48 PM

The only way to stand up to fascism is by matching the moment with solidarity, courage, and love.

We will not drown under a barrage of hate. Dear Friend, There is no denying that yesterday was brutal for immigrant children, their families, communities and allies.  Within a few hours of Trump's inauguration as President, he attacked birthright citizenship, shut down the Southern Border, suspende…

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  Meghan Jorgensen · [email protected]

January 8, 2025 at 2:32 PM

This is how your support translates into impact.

2024 by the numbers. We meant to sent this email on December 31. In case you missed it, we hope that you'll take a little time out of your day to read it!  The next four years are going to be full of challenges for immigrant communities and families, Friend. But that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate …

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  Young Center Board and Staff · [email protected]

January 2, 2025 at 3:01 PM

Happy New Year!

Friend,  We are so incredibly grateful for all of the support we received from you in 2024. This year will be a challenging for immigrant children and their families. As the incoming Trump administration rolls out its plans against immigrant communities, we’ll be at the frontlines fighting them ever…

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  Meghan Jorgensen · [email protected]

December 31, 2024 at 3:28 PM

This is how your support translates into impact.

2024 by the numbers.Friend,Tomorrow is International Migrants Day, a day which aims to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties faced by migrants, as well as their rights and stories. Among those stories is Hernan’s, who grappled with Trump’s family separation policy in 2017.  ---My nam…

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  Estrellita Alvarado · [email protected]

December 26, 2024 at 3:14 PM

It’s truly amazing how one document can open multiple doors for a person.

This is Emilio's story.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 st…

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  Gladis Molina Alt · [email protected]

December 23, 2024 at 2:01 PM

Happy Holidays!

Dear Friend,Over the next few days, many of us will be gathering in our homes to celebrate the holiday season and spend time with our loved ones.  However, many of the children and families we serve will not be able to do so. Countless mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters who make hard choices to p…

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  Hernan from the Young Center Community · [email protected]

December 17, 2024 at 5:03 PM

No parent should ever go through what I went through.

This is my story.Friend,Tomorrow is International Migrants Day, a day which aims to raise awareness about the challenges and difficulties faced by migrants, as well as their rights and stories. Among those stories is Hernan’s, who grappled with Trump’s family separation policy in 2017.  ---My name i…

See More from Hernan from the Young Center Community