#ScreensArentSupport

For almost two decades, legal advocates have met in person with unaccompanied immigrant children in government shelters. These advocates explain the child’s rights, help them understand what will happen in their deportation case, and learn the child’s story to support them during their case.  

Attorneys need to meet with kids in person to build trust, better communicate, and create a connection with their child clients. These in-person meetings are essential to keep children safe and defend them against deportation. 

But now this Trump administration wants to force these child-attorney meetings to happen over Zoom. Under a new contract by Health and Human Services, the government is mandating that nonprofits use Zoom and other video platforms to provide these essential orientation services to children. No more face-to-face meetings.

We need your help: Every day, until March 23rd, contact your senators and representatives  and tell them that "immigrant kids need advocates by their side, not on a screen."

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent from [Your City, State].

I’m calling to urge Representative/Senator [Name] to insist that Health and Human Services and the Office of Refugee Resettlement withdraw their funding proposal that would force immigrant children to speak with their attorneys only over video.

Children facing deportation should never be required to get help over Zoom. These are traumatized, vulnerable kids, and they must not be used as political pawns.

Let advocates do the same thing they have done for decades: meet with children in person to build trust and provide real, life-saving support.

Representative/Senator [Name] must demand that HHS withdraw and correct the contract RFP that mandates video-only Know Your Rights presentations and legal orientations for unaccompanied immigrant children. 

Enough is enough. Let kids get the in-person support they need right now.