1. Immigrant Children: Caught in the Crossfire June 23, 2008 Catholic Charities Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc. Unaccompanied Minors Pro Bono Program

2. 2 Stakeholders Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR) Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR) Division of Unaccompanied Children Services (DUCS) Division of Unaccompanied Children Services (DUCS) Border Patrol and Customs (CBP) Border Patrol and Customs (CBP) Immigration Customs & Enforcement (ICE) Immigration Customs & Enforcement (ICE) Office of Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) Office of Detention and Removal Operations (DRO) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trial Attorneys Trial Attorneys Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) Immigration Court Immigration Court ORR Shelter Facilities ORR Shelter Facilities Shelter facility Shelter facility Staff-Secure facility Staff-Secure facility Secure facility Secure facility

3. 3 Unaccompanied Minors Pro Bono Program We are charged with: We are charged with: 1. Conducting a legal orientation program for unaccompanied children in federal custody. a. Inform them of the legal rights b. Orient them about the immigration Court system c. Screen for eligibility for a legal remedy to remain in the U.S. 2. Build pro bono capacity in our community to increase legal representation before the Executive Office of Immigration Review.

4. 4 What is the difference between Federal Custody and State Custody? Which system got involved with the child first? Which system got involved with the child first? Border Patrol & Customs/Immigration Customs & Enforcement Border Patrol & Customs/Immigration Customs & Enforcementor Child Protective Services Child Protective Services

5. 5 Type of Issues found in Federal Custody Child may have been fleeing his/her country for fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group. Child may have been fleeing his/her country for fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a social group. Child may a victim of abuse, abandonment, or neglect by a parent, parents, or guardian. Child may a victim of abuse, abandonment, or neglect by a parent, parents, or guardian. Child may be a victim of a crime in the U.S. Child may be a victim of a crime in the U.S. Child may be a victim of trafficking to the U.S. Child may be a victim of trafficking to the U.S.

6. 6 Interface with Child Protective Service Agencies We need guidelines and better communication and interaction between Federal and State entities to ensure that these children do not fall through a gap. We need guidelines and better communication and interaction between Federal and State entities to ensure that these children do not fall through a gap.

7. 7 Areas of Concern Soliciting and Ensuring Legal Representation for these children Soliciting and Ensuring Legal Representation for these children Gaps between State/Federal Guidelines Gaps between State/Federal Guidelines Technical assistance for social service agencies and attorneys Technical assistance for social service agencies and attorneys

8. 8 Contact Information Linda A. Brandmiller Director of Immigration Services (210) 433-3256 lbrandmiller@ccaosa.org Melissa Moreno Unaccompanied Minors Program Coordinator (210) 433-3256 mmoreno@ccaosa.org