ACKC's Unaccompanied Children's Program
As part of our Unaccompanied Children's Program, ACKC provides know-your-rights presentations and individual legal screenings to immigrant children detained in federal facilities near Kansas City. Unaccompanied children are children who have entered the U.S. without a parent or guardian and are placed in a group home or facility while awaiting reunification with a sponsor. ACKC also provides free legal services to children released to sponsors in the Kansas City area. This includes representation in immigration court, filings with USCIS, and other wrap-around services unique to each child. We strongly believe that no child should have to face immigration court without an attorney.
What's an Unaccompanied Minor?
When a child who is not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian is apprehended by immigration authorities, the child is transferred to the care and custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Federal law requires that ORR feed, shelter, and provide medical care for unaccompanied children until it is able to release them to safe settings with sponsors (usually family members), while they await immigration proceedings. These sponsors live in many states.
Sponsors are adults who are suitable to provide for the child’s physical and mental well-being and have not engaged in any activity that would indicate a potential risk to the child. All sponsors must pass a background check. The sponsor must agree to ensure the child’s presence at all future immigration proceedings. They also must agree to ensure the minor reports to ICE for removal from the United States if an immigration judge issues a removal order or voluntary departure order.
By the Numbers
Know Your Rights Presentations and Representation
Attorneys at ACKC give group or individual presentations to newly arrived children at detention facilities prior to each child's first court appearance, which provides children with information about their rights while in detention and the immigration court process.
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We meet individually with all children to identify their legal and social services needs and provide additional education about their rights and immigration law.
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ACKC facilitates legal referrals for children upon their release from custody, provide direct representation in certain circumstances, and recruit, train, and mentor pro bono attorneys and match children with pro bono representation where possible.
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ACKC also communicates with detention facility caseworkers, ORR staff, child welfare practitioners, and immigration authorities about unaccompanied children's needs and issues.
To hear from unaccompanied children in their own words about the importance of legal representation, please view this powerful video, Tu Futuro, Tu Voz, from the ABA's Commission on Immigration.
How Can You Help?
Donate
Your generous contributions make a huge difference in the services we can offer to Unaccompanied Children. Often the hardest part of doing the good work is funding it. Consider donating today!
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