WASHINGTON — Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) applauds the Biden Administration’s FY 2024 budget request to significantly increase Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) funding to expand legal services for unaccompanied child migrants, a significant investment that if passed by Congress would put the nation closer to the Administration’s goal of universal legal representation for unaccompanied children by FY2027.
In response to the President’s proposed funding, KIND President Wendy Young issued the following statement:
“President Biden’s proposed budget demonstrates that he recognizes how important direct legal representation is for every child arriving at our border without a parent or guardian. Unaccompanied children are a particularly vulnerable population. Providing legal counsel can help them navigate the complex immigration court system. Counsel also creates efficiencies in the court system, ensure due process, and leads to fair outcomes in children’s cases. It is now up to Congress to affirm their support of children traveling alone in search of safety and pass a substantial expansion in funding supporting children’s legal representation as requested by the Administration.”
To speak with Wendy or another member of KIND’s team, please contact Hannah Gavin at kind@westendstrategy.com or (202) 765-4290.