Focus area

Immigration

NCYL works to ensure that immigrant children are able to live in communities rather than in government custody and have access to the resources and opportunities they need to heal and thrive. We use a combination of federal litigation, state and federal policy advocacy, stakeholder education, and coalition building to uphold and expand the rights of detained immigrant youth as well as immigrant children in the community.

Center Youth

In our capacity as co-counsel on Flores v. Garland we represent the class of all immigrant children in federal custody. In this role, we regularly meet with detained immigrant youth to identify and resolve violations of their rights by the federal government. Our team’s litigation and policy work is informed directly by the words of our clients.

Our Success & Impact

Get up to date on our latest work - from litigation and policy wins to new reports, resources, events and more.

Success and Impact

Judge gives final approval to landmark settlements that expand the rights of youth in immigration custody

OAKLAND, California — A federal judge today approved the terms of three landmark settlements that significantly expand the rights of youth in federal...

Flores Counsel Takes Action to Address the Harm Children are Experiencing at Open Air Detention Sites

Children are being denied shelter, adequate food and water, and access to medical care. National Center for Youth Law, Center for Human Rights and...

Landmark settlements mark a turning point in the treatment of children in immigration custody

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA — Today, the National Center for Youth Law, the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law, UC Davis Immigration Clinic, and...

Our Initiatives

Enforce the Flores Settlement Agreement

NCYL serves as co-counsel in Flores v. Garland, which resulted in the landmark Flores Settlement Agreement establishing national minimum standards for the treatment, placement, and release of detained immigrant children. As Flores counsel, we represent all children in federal immigration custody.

Uphold and Expand the Rights of Detained Immigrant Youth

From litigation, to policy advocacy, to educating federal and state lawmakers, NCYL is working to create a robust landscape of legal protections for immigrant children in federal custody.

Educate And Guide Systems That Serve Immigrant Children

NCYL works to educate and guide systems that serve immigrant children so that they meaningfully meet their distinctive needs.

Legal Advocacy & Impact Litigation

See All Cases

Duchitanga v. Lloyd

Filing date

2018-11-06

This lawsuit challenges egregious delays in the release of detained immigrant children to their families resulting from new policies and practices that subject parents and others to unwarranted fingerprint checks.

Active

Lucas R. v. Azar

Filing date

2018-06-29

This lawsuit charges the government with inappropriately detaining children in unnecessarily restrictive detention centers without fair process, unlawfully medicating children without appropriate authorization, and failing to promptly release children to family members.

Active

Flores v. Reno

Filing date

1985-07-11

The Flores Settlement Agreement established national minimum standards for the treatment, placement, and release of detained immigrant children.

Active

Laws & Policy

See All Laws & Policy

Children's Safe Welcome Act (2024)

The Children's Safe Welcome Act prioritizes family unity, minimizes the time children spend in immigration custody, and increases the protections for children throughout the process. NCYL provided expert guidance in developing this landmark legislation.

Active

Expanding Access to Diplomas for Highly Mobile Students (2021 & 2022)

SB 532 (Caballero)

SB 532 builds bridges to a high school diploma and post-secondary educational success for highly mobile students.

Enacted

Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Protections Act (2021)

AB 1140 (Rivas)

AB 1140 clarifies the responsibilities of the California Office of the Foster Care Ombudsperson, and their jurisdiction, to provide oversight of unaccompanied immigrant children held in state-licensed Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilities.

Enacted

Related Resources

Legal Rights of Unaccompanied Children in ORR Custody

Immigrant children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) have new legal rights under the ORR Foundational Rule published in April...

Educational Advocacy for Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth in California

This toolkit provides a summary of the laws and policies available to advocate for unaccompanied migrant children’s meaningful access to education.

Factsheets

FAQ: Using the Caregiver Affidavit as a Non-Relative or Relative “Sponsor” of Unaccompanied Immigrant Youth

To learn more about educational advocacy for unaccompanied immigrant youth in California, please see our complete Toolkit here.

Factsheets

Fact Sheet: English Language Assessment for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children in California Schools

To learn more about educational advocacy for unaccompanied immigrant youth in California, please see our complete Toolkit here.

Factsheets

Fact Sheet: Using the California Caregiver Affidavit for Unaccompanied Immigrant Children Recently Released from ORR Custody

To learn more about educational advocacy for unaccompanied immigrant youth in California, please see our complete Toolkit here.

Where We Focus

National Center for Youth Law is committed to achieving large-scale, lasting change across multiple government systems and public agencies. Explore all the areas of our work to Center Youth.

Education

Foster Care

Health

Commercial Sexual Exploitation

Youth Justice

Contribute Today

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