KIND is a staunch supporter of DACA and the DREAM Act and will continue to seek passage of the DREAM Act and strongly support DREAMERS. KIND will not, however, support any legislation, legislative language, administrative measure or policy in negotiations on immigration that seeks to roll back protections for unaccompanied children or any other vulnerable population.
KIND is concerned that the White House insistence on border security in exchange for the DREAM Act may include a legislative compromise that could roll back protections for the most vulnerable such as unaccompanied children.
“Promoting the protection of one group of young people at the expense of another is absolutely unacceptable and a nonstarter,” said KIND President Wendy Young. “KIND will forcefully and publicly oppose any attempts to trade on the backs of the most vulnerable like unaccompanied children, asylum seekers and refugees.”
The solution to the child migrant crisis is not rolling back due process protections or eliminating narrow forms of existing relief. Rather, the solution is meaningful access to justice through timely, not fast-tracked immigration proceedings, providing counsel, including pro bono attorneys, for these children who are often fleeing horrific gang violence from which their governments are unwilling or unable to protect them, and addressing the root causes of violence in these countries.
For more information, please contact Megan McKenna, mmckenna@supportkind.org; 202-631-9990