Unaccompanied Children
Protecting the Rights Child Refugees and Immigrants
Unaccompanied Children
Each year thousands of children fleeing poverty, war, gangs, or abusive family relationships enter the U.S. unaccompanied by an adult or separated from their parents or legal guardians. Their journeys are hazardous and their youth makes them especially vulnerable to becoming victims of human trafficking, exploitation and abuse. These children come under the care and placement of the Division of Children’s Services (DCS), part of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR).
In 2008, ICS contracted with the Vera Institute of Justice to provide legal services to children in detention and has expanded its services since that time. ICS currently provides both limited and full-scope representation to children housed in three detention centers in the Portland, Oregon.
ICS provides Know Your Rights orientations which teach children their rights while in detention and the immigration court process. We then meet individually with each child to identify their legal needs and continue educating them about their rights. ICS accompanies all the children for their appearances before immigration court.
Most of the children are reunified with a family member or sponsor. Some have legal relief and would be eligible to remain in the country legally.
Immigration Policy Center recently found that a majority of children with attorneys show up for their immigration hearings, while unrepresented children are more likely to fail to appear.
