Faith Rooted Services and Advocacy for Unaccompanied Children in North Carolina:

Lessons Learned

Olivia Hogle, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee ServiceMaureen Abell, Esq., Legal Services of Southern PiedmontKathleen Heavner, Lutheran Services CarolinasEvelyn Medina, St. John’s Lutheran Church

Who is LIRS?

• Serving migrants and refugees for 75 years• Work in partnership with a network of faith

communities and service providers across the U.S.o Refugee Resettlemento Community Integrationo Immigration Legal Serviceso Visitation Ministryo Foster Care o Family Reunification

Children’s Services

• Emphasis on children’s best interests, preserving family unity, and ensuring least restrictive settings.

• 5 Service areas:o Transitional Careo Long Term Foster Careo Unaccompanied Refugee Minorso Family Reunification (Home Studies and Follow-up

Services)o Safe Release Support Services

• In FY 2014, LIRS network served 2,352 children in care, 1,079 families with family reunification services, and 24,652 potential caregivers.

LIRS Crisis Response

• National Coordination Efforts• Organizing collective response• Information sharing & education• Expanded programming to meet need• Resource Support • Advocacy• Ongoing initiatives

Lessons Learned

• Need to be fast acting and flexible.• Coordinating information between local

partners, churches, and other organization on the ground was invaluable in developing actions/response.

• More information was needed from home countries, international conversations sooner.

• People were eager for engagement opportunities, so it is good to have tangible actions available as soon as possible.

Stand for Welcome!

• Advocate- Oppose legislation that harms migrants children and families.

• Support the President’s Actions for Family Unity• Launch a Detention Visitation Ministry• Give the Gift of Family• Refugee Sunday Kits – Coming Soon

Visit www.lirs.org/act/ for more ways to get involved:

Give the Gift of Family

https://vimeo.com/102255194

Services for Reunited Children & Families

Kathleen Heavner

Unaccompanied Alien Children Caseworker

PRS Scope

• Frequent communication – phone, text, Facebook, email, home visits

• Assessment – What are the risk factors? How is the minor adjusting? What does the family need to know? Who could offer support?

• Referrals – community based, culturally appropriate, linguistic/financial/functional accessibility

Case Study: P

• 10 years old, outgoing, very smart– Placed with bio mom and step father– Younger brother (4), sister (infant)

• Abuse, trauma history– Mom provided intuitive response– Single income household– Few Spanish MH providers– LIRS emergency fund– Pastor transports to appointments– Counseling at school

Case Study: Y

• 17 years old, tranquil– Placed with paternal uncle, cousins live next

door

• Land dispute in COO– Youth Group: playing soccer, learning right from

wrong, trust in God, knows he will meet people who “do right.”

Case Study: C

• 14 years old, quiet, cheerful, likes singing– Placed with bio mom and bio dad– 12 years since last seen in person

• Only child in COO – arrived to US to meet three younger siblings

• Verbal and physical abuse– Shelter uses volunteer translators, not available 24/7– Catholic family doesn’t believe in divorce– Church members and ministers gossip and judge

Legal Orientation & Services for Families

Maureen Abell, Esq. Immigrant Justice Program Attorney

Important Phone Numbers

• 1 (800) 898-7180 – court calendar (national system, automated only, need A#)

• 1 (704) 971-2599 - LSSP to schedule an LOPC presentation

• 1 (704) 971-2599 - LSSP to request direct representation (Tuesday mornings only)

• 1 (704) 817-6140 – Charlotte Immigration Court (emergency delay)

Notice to Appear

When is my next hearing?

•To check call•1-800-898-7180

•You will need to know the minor’s alien number.

Change of Venue Form

Where is the Charlotte Immigration Court?

5701 Executive Center DriveSuite 400

Charlotte, NC 28212704-817-6140

La Corte de Inmigración

Judge

Government Att orney Defendant (immigrant)

Legal Secretary Interpreter

Waiting Area for Defendants

In Immigration Court

Master Calendar Hearing Individual Hearing

Request more time

Request voluntary departure Receive Removal Order

Petition for a legal remedy or visa Request Administrative Closure*

Request more time

Request voluntary departure Receive Removal Order

Petition for a legal remedy or visa Request Administrative Closure*

What if I don’t have legal status?

• Some custodians fear accompanying minors to court hearings.

• The risk of arrest by the Department of Internal Security is minimal.

• Though there is no guarantee that an arrest will not occur, there has never been a report of such an incident.

• Usually, the court does not require that the custodian accompany the minor to the hearings. Without exception, the custodian will need to make sure that the minor attends the hearings.