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Victory for Unaccompanied Alien Children in Miami: Women’s Commission Applauds DOJ Move

New York, NY

The Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children applauds the Department of Justice’s decision to move the hearings of unaccompanied alien children in Miami to a more child-friendly venue.

“The Women’s Commission commends the Executive Office for Immigration Review for doing the right thing for these children,” says Wendy Young, director of external relations. “It may not seem like a big change, but it will make a big difference in the well-being of these children, who already have to deal with the stress of detention.”

The Executive Office for Immigration Review has transferred the unaccompanied children’s cases to the downtown Miami immigration court. The hearings had been held at the Krome Processing Center, which is a maximum security adult prison. Children interviewed by the Women’s Commission have said that the environment at Krome made them nervous and fearful. A federal shooting range is on the premises and gunshots are clearly audible throughout the facility, including in the waiting area where children sit before they enter a courtroom for their hearings.

“Krome was an inappropriate and intimidating environment for any child, particularly vulnerable unaccompanied children, many of whom have fled violence in their homelands,” Young says.

The Women’s Commission has long advocated for the rights of unaccompanied refugee children in detention in the United States. The organization continues to advocate for unaccompanied children to be appointed counsel and guardians ad litem throughout their proceedings.