Volunteer in The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights

To protect and advance the rights and best interests of immigrant children according to the Convention on the Rights of the Child and state and federal law.

The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights was founded in Chicago in 2004 to advocate for the best interests of unaccompanied immigrant children, addressing a gap in U.S. immigration law that treats children the same as adults. Initially a small program, we trained bilingual volunteers to support children in detention and immigration court. In 2008, the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act formally recognized the best interests standard for immigrant children, enabling our growth. Today, we operate in multiple cities, championing children’s rights and advocating for a justice system that prioritizes their safety and well-being.