The story of KIND

KIND was founded by the Microsoft Corporation and UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie, and is the leading national organization that works to ensure that no refugee or immigrant child faces immigration court alone. We do this in partnership with over 600 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations. KIND has served more than 18,300 children since 2009, and trained over 42,000 private sector attorneys, paralegals, and law students to provide them with high quality representation in their deportation proceedings. KIND promotes protection of children in countries of origin and transit countries and works to address the root causes of child migration from Central America. KIND also advocates to change law, policy, and practices to improve the protection of unaccompanied children in the United States, by educating policymakers, the media, and the broader public about the violence that is driving children out of Central America and their need for protection.

History of KIND Timeline

(link to PDF of updated 10 yr timeline)

Our Leadership

Feature Press Release

In Bipartisan Push, Senators Ossoff and Murkowski Urge Restoration of Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children

KIND commends Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) for leading a bipartisan call urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reinstate funding for legal services for unaccompanied immigrant children. In their letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., the senators emphasize the urgent need for legal representation to protect […]

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Feature Post

We Are Not From Here: An Interview with Jenny Torres Sanchez

In this powerful interview, author Jenny Torres Sanchez shares the inspiration behind her award-winning novel We Are Not From Here, which follows the harrowing journey of three unaccompanied children fleeing Guatemala for the U.S. Jenny, a former teacher and daughter of immigrants, discusses the emotional and personal roots of her storytelling, the importance of bearing […]

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Feature Press Release

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act: More Vital than Ever Than Ever to Protect Unaccompanied Children

Washington, DC—Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) commends Senator Mazie Hirono’s reintroduction today of the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act – legislation that would guarantee legal counsel for all unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings.   In light of the Trump Administration’s efforts to terminate legal representation for over 26,000 unaccompanied children in communities across […]

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Feature Resource

Guardianship of Unaccompanied Foreign Minors in Six European Countries

This fact sheet provides an in-depth look at how six European countries—France, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Italy, and Slovakia—protect unaccompanied foreign minors through voluntary guardianship systems. It outlines the different types of guardianship, including ad hoc administrators, curators, and volunteer legal guardians, and explains how each country appoints and supports guardians for migrant children. The resource […]

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KIND President Wendy Young on PBS NewsHour

Voices from the kids

"They took me somewhere after I was separated; I remember adults and children were held together, but I only had me. I did not have anyone else" "I feel sad all the time. I don't have anyone to talk to when I feel like this. I just want to go home."
10-year-old detained child
"Los mareros las enamoran. Se van de casa. Las utilizan para ganancia. Las prostituyen o hace lo que quieren con ellas. The gang members seduce them. They leave home. They use them for profit. They prostitute them or do what they want with them. "
Young Girl Honduras
"The journey was not easy, but it has been amazing to get to know new people, myself, and the ability I did not know I have to overcome my fears and challenges."
Alejandra KIND Client

For press inquiries please contact KIND’s Communications Team:

Megan McKenna, Senior Director of Communications and Community Engagement        mmckenna@supportkind.org

Alexandra Pender, Senior Communications Manager, apender@supportkind.org

Alejandra Paz, Communications Project Coordinator, apaz@supportkind.org