Dear friends,
This morning, NWIRP and many of our partners across the country received a near-total termination of work notice immediately ending the Unaccompanied Children Program, which funds the legal representation of unaccompanied children and youth. This leaves over 26,000 children nationwide without access to their legal counsel. Just last year, this program supported 1,600 children and youth in Washington State, and NWIRP currently has over 500 direct representation cases at immediate risk.
Many of our children and youth clients supported through this program are facing deportation proceedings or are at high risk of deportation. We know that having legal representation in immigration court is generally the primary factor in determining whether the individual has a meaningful opportunity to be granted legal status in deportation proceedings. What’s more, funding legal services ensures that children and youth are not left to navigate complex legal proceedings alone, decreasing their vulnerability to trafficking and exploitation.
We need your help right now. Please join us and other legal services providers in sending an urgent message to your members of Congress today and urge them to tell the Presidential Administration that this contract must be renewed.
Our partners have created an easy-to-use form for sharing your message of support with your Senators and your Representative all at one time in just two minutes.
Additionally, our partners are holding a free webinar on the future of the Unaccompanied Children Program on Monday morning at 11am PT. You can register for this webinar at this link.
Thank you for your help in demanding that this critical work continues without interruption. We are grateful for your support and for taking the time to make your voice heard.
In solidarity,
Malou Chávez (she/her/ella)
Executive Director
