1. Immigration and Kids in Louisiana:  What is going on and what can we do?
Kathleen Gasparian
Gasparian Immigration
.com

2. Basic vocabulary refresher
US Citizen
Can only petition for parent when over the age of 21
Permanent Resident (aka Immigrant)
Non-immigrant
Other, but authorized – refugee or TPS or DACA
Undocumented

3. Who are we talking about?
Undocumented child with undocumented parent(s)
Undocumented child with parent(s) with non-permanent authorization
Undocumented child with permanent resident or citizen parent(s)
Documented child with undocumented parent(s)
Documented child with parent(s) with non-permanent authorization
Documented child with permanent resident or citizen parent(s) but other members are undocumented
Child and/or parents have a status that is ending

4. In Louisiana
the immigrant population rose by 60.8% between 2000 and 2015, thus:
4% (186,369) of the state’s population is foreign-born;
7% of Louisiana children under the age of 18 have one or more immigrant parents;
84.5% of Louisiana children in immigrant families are U.S. citizens; and
49% of the foreign born population is limited English proficient2 (regions of origin: Latin America (52.7%); Asia (32.4%); Europe (9.7%); Africa (3.1%); and Canada (1.8%))

5. Where are they?
Orleans, Jefferson and East Baton Rouge are top

6. The Impact of DACA Nationally 790,000 In Louisiana – more than 2,000
Unclear as to ages etc. - b/c of rules relating to age at time of filing if not in proceedings will be at least teenagers or older
Phasing out – will see expirations in late Spring 2018
And then what will happen?

7. The Impact of Changes in Enforcement
Revocation of the prosecutorial discretion memos
Policy of “everyone”
Active enforcement
Cooperation with local enforcement agencies
CBP more active in arrests
“no bond” policy

8. The Impact of Sanctuary sanctions
Fear of police, etc.
Fear to report crimes
Increased vulnerability

9. The Impact of the End of TPS
Nicaragua ending (est. 2,500)
Sudan ending
Future of Honduras, El Salvador, Haiti uncertain
57,000 Hondurans
200,000 Salvadorans
Honduras / El Salvador designated in the late 90s.

10. The Impact in the legal definitions of UACs and how children are treated in removal
Cases move faster/ less discretion
Harder to present cases

11. The Impact of all of it on kids coming from Central America
Lower numbers
Some question this – state CBP is not processing
Increased border detention
Those who are here
Bullying
Vulnerability to trafficking
Survival crimes

12. What can we do? Immigration Relief for Kids
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status
Asylum
U visas
T visas
Adoption

13. What can we do? In anticipation of ICE arrest, detention, or removal
Provisional Custody by Mandate
Powers of Attorney
Creating family action plans

14. What can we do? Know your rights! Educate others!
ACLU
Don’t just know them – talk about them, practice them, educate the household, etc.

15. What can we do?
Relief for victims of domestic violence, crimes, and trafficking
YES
U visa
T visa
VAWA
Other relief

16. What can we do? Advocate for Language Access Courts Child Services
Schools
And beyond

17. What can we do? VOTE THEM OUT Call and complain March and protest
LOCAL and STATE LEVEL MATTER
Call and complain
March and protest

18. What can we do? Offer Sanctuary Refuse to be quiet
Educate ourselves and educate others
Advocate for constitutional enforcement
Advocate for new law

19. If no new law…. Courts are very backlogged Emphasis on detention
Long waits

20. What else Advocate that the foreign national see a lawyer Be kind
Pro Bono resources –
CCANO
The Pro Bono Project
The Family Justice Center
Be kind
Be respectful
Call out racism and xenophobia

21. Immigration and Kids in Louisiana:  What is going on and what can we do?
Kathleen Gasparian
Gasparian Immigration
.com