Save the Children Announces Partnerships with Leading Nonprofits Serving Children and Families at U.S.-Mexico Border

Global Nonprofit Aligns Efforts with American Immigration Council, American Immigration Lawyers Association and KIND

FAIRFIELD, Conn. (July 13, 2018) – In support of children and families at the U.S.-Mexico border, Save the Children today announces its partnership with the American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s (AILA) Immigration Justice Campaign, and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) – organizations leading critical programs, including legal representation, case management, reunification support and more.  

“Save the Children is taking urgent action to assist children and families who are in the middle of this heart-wrenching crisis at the U.S. border,” said Carolyn Miles, President & CEO of Save the Children. “We are proud to align with trusted organizations providing much-needed relief to children and families who have survived the treacherous journey to the U.S., legal assistance to families seeking asylum, and support to children who have been traumatically separated from their parents. This is a man-made disaster, but together, we can help these vulnerable children.”

American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)
The American Immigration Council and AILA work to achieve justice and fairness for immigrants under the law and are helping provide legal representation for children and families in detention at the U.S.-Mexico border. The American Immigration Council and the American Immigration Lawyers Association launched the Immigration Justice Campaign last year to expand access to counsel and a fair day in court for detained immigrants. This nationwide project, with more than 6,000 volunteers across the country, is scaling pro bono representation in new ways and connecting more pro bono lawyers with more detained individuals.

“The Immigration Justice Campaign welcomes the opportunity to partner with Save the Children in our fight for a fair day in court for detained immigrants,” said Karen Siciliano Lucas, Immigration Justice Campaign Director. “Across the country, only 14 percent of detained immigrants have representation. In an era of indiscriminate enforcement measures, family separation, expanded family detention, and threats to due process, the Justice Campaign is scaling up pro bono representation in new ways to meet the immense need. This work is in motion in partner sites in Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, the Southeastern U.S., and Washington State. We could not be prouder to stand in solidarity with Save the Children, an organization that has advocated for vulnerable populations for nearly a century, in our pursuit of justice for detained immigrants.”

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) provides legal support services to unaccompanied and separated children, working to ensure that no child appears in immigration court without high quality legal representation. In addition, KIND works to advance laws, policies, and practices that ensure children’s protection and uphold their right to due process and fundamental fairness. And in countries of origin, KIND is promoting solutions to child migration that are grounded in the best interests of the child, ensuring that no child is forced to migrate. As of May 2018, KIND has helped support nearly 16,500 children from 70 countries of origin through referrals, including more than 330 children from Guatemala and Honduras through the Child Migrant Return and Reintegration Project.

“KIND is so pleased to partner with Save the Children, the American Immigration Council and AILA as we address the crisis of children being taken from their parents at the border,” said KIND President Wendy Young. “Together our organizations will strive to meet the needs of parents and children who have broken no law, but have simply come to the U.S. in search of protection from the brutal violence that is rampant in their home countries.”

Save the Children
Save the Children is committed to addressing the root causes of this crisis. Building on decades of work supporting children in the Northern Triangle – El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras – and Mexico, Save the Children is expanding and strengthening programs focused on protection, education and peace-building. The global humanitarian organization has also helped reunite separated families for many years in the Northern Triangle, and is working to support reunification efforts of children and families there during this crisis.

“Together, the American Immigration Council, AILA, KIND and Save the Children become a much stronger support system and voice for migrant children at the U.S. border,” added Miles. “Every child deserves safety and a chance at a bright future.”

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.