Washington, D.C. – Following today’s administration decision to rescind a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services order abruptly stopping federally-funded vital services, including facilitating pro bono representation and other legal assistance for unaccompanied children, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) President Wendy Young issued the following statement:
“The Trump Administration’s decision to restore this critical funding ensures the continuation of vital protection of vulnerable unaccompanied children, some as young as toddlers, against trafficking, exploitation, and other abuses. We urge the administration to stay this course by exercising the remaining year of services under this existing contract, which is up for renewal at the end of next month.
“For today, this welcome reprieve will ensure a more efficient immigration system by protecting access to legal counsel for unaccompanied children who otherwise must navigate a complex court proceeding alone. The provision of counsel to children ensures that objective decisions in their cases are made efficiently, and children remain in the system until that time. KIND is thrilled to have the resources necessary to continue our work facilitating private-sector pro bono legal services that we oversee with almost 900 law firms, corporations, law schools, and bar associations that volunteer their time and expertise at no cost to the government. Children who come alone to the United States will continue to have the protection they need to ensure they are not easy prey for those who would do them harm. KIND remains dedicated to doing all we can to ensure the safety of these children.”
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Media Contact: Megan McKenna, mmckenna@supportkind.org, 202-631-9990