(MCCA),” says Young, who prior to taking on the role of executive director served as Chief Counsel on Immigration Policy in the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration, Border Security, and Refugees for the late Senator Edward M. Kennedy.
INFORMATION AND SUPPORT One of KIND’s primary objectives is to help pro bono attorneys understand and navigate the complex immigra- tion laws facing these children. “T e immigration laws in our country are similar to
our tax laws in how complicated and contradictory they are,” Young explains. Depending on the circumstances in which the child arrives, there are a number of options to pursue in court. Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) may be granted to abused, neglected, or abandoned chil- dren. Other possibilities include U or T visas, for victims of violence and other criminal activity such as traffi ck- ing; VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) petitions, for victims of domestic violence or abuse; and family-based
do whatever it takes to help them feel comfortable.” Pro bono attorneys become the
attorney of record, prep the case, prep the child, represent him in court, fi le immigration documents, and carry the case through until its conclusion. T is can happen in as few as 20 hours or may take longer, depending on the form of relief being pursued. T roughout the process, KIND remains available for mentoring and additional training.
EXPANDING EFFORTS Many unaccompanied immigrant children do not qualify to remain in the U.S. “One of the big black holes in this issue is what happens to kids who are deported,” Young says. “T ey’re escorted back to their home country, but there’s not much there to welcome them back.” KIND recently devel- oped a reintegration program in partnership with T e Global Fund for Children to help ensure that they are sent back to safe situations where their basic needs are met. Also on KIND’s agenda is advocacy. T e organization
“ THE IMMIGRATION LAWS IN OUR COUNTRY ARE SIMILAR TO OUR TAX LAWS IN HOW COMPLI- CATED AND CONTRADICTORY THEY ARE.” – WENDY YOUNG
petitions to help children stay with family. For those who are not entitled to such protections, voluntary depar- ture—which eliminates harsh penalties if they leave in a designated amount of time—is an option. “T is is a system fraught with problems,” Young
explains. “T e odds are stacked against them.” Training can help improve such odds. KIND provides
specialized training to law fi rms and bar associations as well as one-to-one mentoring. “We guide them along the way. We help them review briefs, accompany them to court, and
MCCA.COM
Kara Mayer Robinson is a freelance writer based near New York City. For more information on KIND, visit
supportKIND.org or contact the national headquarters 202-824-8680.
MARCH/APRIL 2011 DIVERSITY & THE BAR®
works with Congress and federal agencies that have a role in promoting more child-friendly laws. KIND is committed to ensuring funding for vital services and positively impacting new legislation. At inception, the organization had hoped to provide legal representation to all unaccompa- nied children in the cities where it has offi ces by 2010. Young now admits that was overly ambitious, especially since the organization was launched in one of the worst economies ever and because
the number of children coming to KIND for assistance is rising steadily. But with its partnerships expanding, a strong company like Microsoft to back its growth strat- egy, and public awareness in the hands of Jolie, Young is convinced that a strong future is within reach. D&B
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