Senator Durbin Highlights Risks for Immigrant Children Facing Court Without Legal Representation
Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Bill Foster recently visited a shelter in Illinois housing unaccompanied immigrant children who have fled difficult situations in their home countries. Concerns have been raised by immigration attorneys that approximately 26,000 vulnerable immigrant children across the United States could face deportation without legal representation. This issue has been exacerbated by recent Department of Justice policy changes and the expiration of a federal contract that provided these children with legal representation. Laura Smith, executive director of the Children’s Legal Center, emphasized the complexity of the immigration process, particularly for young children, and the fear they experience in court. The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement has stated it remains compliant with legal obligations and has offered to extend the contract if certain data is provided. 
