Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

09/23/2026

Unaccompanied children in U.S. federal custody deserve the same basic safeguards we expect for any child in government care.

But in Texas, facilities housing these children are operating without state child-welfare licensing—at the same time the federal government is sending a growing share of unaccompanied children there.

Oversight matters. Licensing, monitoring, and accountability help protect children from unsafe conditions and ensure their care meets appropriate standards.

Children in immigration custody should not receive fewer protections simply because of their immigration status.

Exclusive: Nearly 90% of children in federal custody being directed to GOP-controlled state that has unlicensed facilities and low legal representation rates

09/22/2026

Across borders and systems, children on the move have rights that must be protected. Many unaccompanied and separated children are fleeing trafficking, abuse in the home, or persecution and targeted threats.

Their safety and well-being shouldn't depend on where they were born, what forced them to leave home, or the politics surrounding migration.

09/21/2026

U.S. federal agencies are increasingly coordinating policies that make it harder for unaccompanied children to reunify with family, access legal representation, seek protection, and avoid prolonged detention.

When protections are weakened at every stage, children face the consequences.

Exclusive: key White House loyalist orchestrating multi-agency effort condemned by critics as cruel and racist

09/17/2026

An 11-year-old waited nine hours in front of a computer for his immigration court case to be called.

He was one of 25 children appearing in a mass virtual hearing. About half had lawyers. He did not.

EL PAÍS reports that children are increasingly being placed into mass immigration hearings as legal service providers face severe funding constraints and thousands of children risk navigating complex proceedings without representation.

For a child, an immigration case can determine whether they are returned to danger or have the opportunity to seek protection in the United States. They should not be expected to understand that process—or defend their case—alone.

Children need meaningful access to legal counsel and an immigration system that recognizes their age, vulnerability, and right to due process.

https://english.elpais.com/usa/2026-09-14/nine-hours-in-front-of-a-computer-an-11-year-old-waits-his-turn-in-a-mass-hearing-for-migrant-minors.html

09/17/2026

Today, on U.S. , we recognize the importance of protecting the legal pathways that allow children who have found safety in the United States to build secure futures here.

For unaccompanied children, citizenship comes at the end of a long legal journey that began with seeking safety and protection. At a time when access to humanitarian protections and legal pathways is face growing barriers, safeguarding access to them is critical.

Children who qualify for protection should have a meaningful opportunity to pursue it, build stable lives, and move toward a future where they can belong without fear.

Photo Credit: Photo by Marvin RECINOS / AFP

09/14/2026

New data underscores what is at stake as unaccompanied children are pushed through the U.S. immigration court system at an increasingly rapid pace.

Some children are being given three weeks or less to find an attorney before their cases move forward. At the same time, removal orders for unaccompanied children have nearly tripled since January 2025.

A child’s future should not be decided by how quickly a case can move through the system. Children need time to find legal representation, understand their rights, and have a meaningful opportunity to make their case.

Source: Bloomberg Law analysis of federal court data provided by Mobile Pathways

09/09/2026

Children facing deportation need a fair chance to make their case.

New reporting from Bloomberg Law shows that asylum grant rates for unaccompanied children fell to about 1.5% in July, while monthly removal orders nearly tripled compared with January 2025.

At the same time, children are being pushed through immigration court on accelerated timelines, sometimes with three weeks or less to find an attorney. Many are navigating these life-altering proceedings without legal representation.

Speed should never come at the expense of due process. Children need time to understand their rights, find an attorney, and meaningfully present their case before decisions are made that determine the course of their lives.

Unaccompanied children who appear before immigration judges have less than a 2% chance of getting their asylum claim approved, according to preliminary analysis of court data since President Donald Trump returned to office.

09/02/2026

Children do not lose their rights when they are forced to flee. Unaccompanied and separated children need systems that uphold their rights, including access to education, legal support, appropriate care, and a meaningful voice in decisions about their futures.

That takes child-centered policies and protection systems designed around what children need, so displacement does not become another barrier to safety or to the chance to rebuild their lives.

08/31/2026

Sometimes the biggest barrier to learning is simply being allowed through the door.

At 17, one student arrived in the United States hoping to continue his education. He brought academic records showing his progress in secondary school, but was initially denied enrollment because of his age. His family was also told they would need to provide their own interpreter to access school services.

KIND’s Psychosocial team stepped in, working with the school to address the enrollment and language-access barriers. With that advocacy, he was able to enroll in high school and ultimately complete his education.

Under Plyler v. Doe, immigrant students have the right to a public education regardless of immigration status. Stories like this show why protecting that access matters.

08/28/2026

Unaccompanied and separated children are among the most vulnerable children on the move. Many have been forced to flee violence, persecution, conflict, or abuse. Protecting them means ensuring their rights, safety, and best interests are upheld wherever they seek protection.

Now more than ever, children need protection systems that recognize their vulnerability, uphold their rights, and help them reach safety and stability.