CHRC Responds to Children at the Border

Posted on: July 23rd, 2014 by

The US is currently experiencing a humanitarian crisis at the border, with over 50,000 children currently apprehended, and more coming. Families, mostly unaccompanied children, are migrating from Central American and Mexico to the Mexican/US border due to extreme violence, gang related activity, and deprivation. The White House and Congress are currently reviewing options for responding to the crisis. Unfortunately, many of the “solutions” being proposed seek to undermine legislation set forth in 2000 and 2008 to protect vulnerable children, expedite deportation of children and families, and severely impact the rights of children. Due to the looming Congressional recess and speed of proposals issued, a response required a quick turnaround. Read more to learn about the CHRC’s response to this issue.

The CHRC gathered an interdisciplinary team of experts representing the fields of social work, child welfare, law, child development, and psychology to provide a research-informed response via a letter to leaders of the White House and Congress. The CHRC sent a letter to the White House, leaders of US House and Senate, Illinois Congressional representatives, ranking members of Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Appropriations Committees, and co-sponsors of two bills that were recently introduced. A copy of the letter can be found below.

Collaborating faculty were Dr. Julia Pryce (SOSW), Anita Weinberg, JD, MSW (SOL), Dr. James Garbarino (CAS), and Dr. Katherine Tyson McCrea (SOSW). CHRC student children’s rights fellows, Jeanne Murray and Jade Gary, also provided critical research support and communication with external partners.

CHRC Letter to President Obama

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