The Door featured in Univision on Legal Barriers Face by Immigrant Children
In a time when immigration policies are rapidly shifting, the lives of thousands of unaccompanied children hang in the balance. Under the current administration, critical federal funding was cut for programs that provided legal representation to unaccompanied immigrant youth. These cuts affected an estimated 26,000 children, many of whom are now forced to face immigration court alone.
At The Door’s Legal Services Center, we’ve witnessed the devastating consequences of these decisions firsthand. To shed light on the growing crisis, Stephanie López, Co-Director of The Door's Legal Services Center, shared her experience in an article with Univision.
"We are dedicated to representing young people who come to the United States alone. They come without family, without parents, and they present themselves to immigration at the border, and then, once they do, they are taken to shelters," explains Stephanie López.
Her words echo the painful reality: children as young as seven have had to appear in court without an attorney, a parent, or even someone who speaks their language. Many speak indigenous languages, which further strips them of their right to a fair hearing.
With the defunding of legal contracts, organizations like The Door lost the ability to serve as “friends of the court”—a role that once allowed The Door to accompany and advocate for young people, explain their stories to judges, and fight for the legal remedies many of them qualify for, such as asylum or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. A recent court order has temporarily extended these contracts until 2027, but the future remains uncertain.
At The Door, we believe no child should have to face the immigration system alone. That’s why we’re fighting every day to provide legal representation, shelter, healthcare, education, and—above all—a safe and supportive community.
Read the full article here. (Note: the article is in Spanish)