Four Priorities in the Fight for Immigrant Children's Rights in 2022
After four years of relentless attacks on the rights of children and families seeking safety in the United States, 2021 was an opportunity for a new administration to make lasting change. While we made progress on certain fronts, the Biden-Harris administration did not deliver on the campaign promise to build a “modern and humane immigration system.” Here are four issues where we'll continue the fight in 2022.
Reuniting separated families: Despite the work of President Biden's Family Reunification Task Force, more than 1,700 children remain separated from their parents. The Young Center and other groups continue the fight to reunite families separated under the Trump administration. In 2022, we will continue our work with the Task Force to reunite families and to ensure they receive all needed services, support, and protection.
Ending Title 42 and “Remain in Mexico:” Contrary to campaign promises, the Biden administration has continued some of the most dangerous policies implemented by the prior administration. Under Title 42, more than a million asylum-seekers have been turned away at our border without any opportunity to seek protection, based on the fallacy that asylum-seekers pose a special public health threat. Equally alarming, the Biden administration has restarted and expanded the Remain in Mexico policy, which forces families to stay in unsafe conditions in Mexico as they wait for an asylum hearing in the United States. In 2022, we will continue our fight to bring a complete end to these life-threatening, unlawful policies.
Protecting children in government custody: In 2021, governors in Texas and Florida took action to strip licenses from facilities and foster families who care for immigrant children. Without state licensing, there are fewer protections against the abuse and exploitation of children. In 2022, we'll continue our fight to ensure migrant children aren’t denied basic forms of protection and that they have the same right to safety and prompt reunification with their families as all children.
Advocating for a pathway to citizenship: Next year, we'll continue our alliances with youth-led organizations to demand citizenship for undocumented Americans so families can stay together without fear of deportation.
We have so much to do, and by making a gift today, you ensure that our fight on behalf of immigrant children continues.
Photo credit: Barbara Zandoval at Tijuana, Mexico