WASHINGTON, DC — Today, the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights condemns and strongly denounces reports that the Trump administration is directing Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers to “ask” unaccompanied immigrant children if they wish to voluntarily return to their countries of origin just as they reach our border, before they have a chance to speak with an attorney, Child Advocate, or family member. This reprehensible move, in violation of federal law, and confirmed by CNN this morning, marks a dangerous escalation in the Trump administration’s agenda against vulnerable children seeking safety and protection in the United States.
In response, Gladis Molina Alt, Executive Director for the Young Center released the following statement:
“A child, especially one who has endured the trauma of fleeing their home and journeying alone, is in no position to make a fully informed decision about ‘self-deportation’. This policy is not about protecting children; it’s about circumventing legal protections, fast-tracking removals, and denying children their fundamental right to due process and a fair hearing.”
“The Trump administration’s attempt to coerce children into making life-altering decisions without legal counsel or understanding the consequences will not be tolerated. This action directly attacks the core principles of due process, child protection and justice. We demand an immediate stop to this policy and a return to practices that prioritize the safety and well-being of every child.”
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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first.