BUILDING CLOSURES: The Door's Manhattan and Bronx Youth Centers and housing sites will be closed on Monday, October 14. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, October 15.

Legal & Immigration

Policy & Advocacy

The Door is engaged in broad-ranging systemic immigration policy research and advocacy work to ensure the needs and rights of immigrant youth are elevated and accounted for. We seek to center the voices of the young people we serve in this work by envisioning and fighting for a more just reality alongside them every step of the way.

Our current priorities are:

  • to elevate the voices of immigrant youth in their fight for human rights and dignity;

  • to abolish the visa backlog for Special Immigrant Juveniles;

  • to protect the human rights of unaccompanied minors detained in (Office of Refugee Resettlement) ORR facilities in New York State;

  • to hold United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) accountable for the adjudication of SIJS petitions within 180 days, as mandated by Congress;

  • to educate lawmakers on the policy issues impacting immigrant youth.

Learn more about our direct legal services for young people, as well as about our pro bono program and partnering with us.

In the News

Legal Services Center Policy Dispatch

The Legal Services Center publishes a periodic policy dispatch detailing our current advocacy priorities and The Door’s position on emerging policy issues directly impacting our clients. The dispatch often highlights the thoughts of the young people we serve and includes a summary of our recent publications. Complete this sign-up form to subscribe to our policy dispatch.

“Any Day They Could Deport Me”: Over 44,000 Immigrant Children Trapped in the SIJS Backlog

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Dec 1, 2021

SIJS Summer School on the Hill Policy Dispatch

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Feb 20, 2021

Here to Stay!

Comment   

Jul 14, 2021

The Legal Services Center Policy Dispatch, March 2021

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Mar 11, 2021

Other Publications

The Door frequently comments publicly on policy issues impacting immigrant youth. Our most recent writing is linked here:

The Door Comments on Mandatory Bars in Fear Screenings

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Jun 11, 2024

The Door's Legal Services Center Written Testimony Before City Council - May

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May 9, 2024

The Door's Legal Services Center Written Testimony Before City Council - April

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Apr 15, 2024

The Door's Legal Services Center Written Testimony Before City Council - March

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Mar 21, 2024

NYC Council Budget Hearing Testimony On Funding for Immigration Legal Services Providers

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Mar 11, 2020

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Pamphlet in Chinese, Arabic & Hindi

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Nov 14, 2022

Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) Pamphlet in English, Spanish & French

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Nov 14, 2021

The Door’s Recommendations to the HHS Biden Transition Team on Issues Impacting Detained Minors

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Dec 28, 2020

Public Comment on EOIR Proposed “Good Cause for a Continuance in Immigration Proceedings” Rule, EOIR 19-0410, Dir. Order No. 02-2021

Comment   

Dec 22, 2020

The Door’s Recommendations to the Biden/Harris Administration, “Reopening Our Doors to Vulnerable Immigrant Youth: Recommendations on U.S. Immigration Policy Impacting Young People”

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Dec 11, 2020

The Door’s DACA Policy Dispatch

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Oct 30, 2020

Public Comment on USCIS Proposed SIJS Rule, Docket No. USCIS-2009-0004

Comment   

Nov 14, 2020

NYC Council Hearing Written Testimony in Support of Res. 1173

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Feb 9, 2020

Strategic Litigation

The Door routinely participates in systemic litigation to vindicate the rights of our clients. See our most recent litigation related documents here:  

New York v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 1:19-cv-08876-JSR ( S.D.N.Y. )

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Mar 11, 2020

Lucas R. v. Azar, 2:18-cv-05741 ( C.D. Cal. )

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Nov 22, 2020

Our Team

Contact Directory

For Questions

Legal Services Center Co-Managing Director Stephanie Lopez, slopez@door.org 

Legal Services Center Co-Managing Director Meena Shah, mshah@door.org

Media Inquiries

Mika De Roo, mderoo@door.org

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The Door is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. TTY: New York Telecommunications Relays (800) 662-1220 (TTY) and (800) 421-1220 (Voice)

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