Last Friday, October 3, we learned that ICE planned to launch a nationwide operation dubbed “Freaky Friday” to try to coerce unaccompanied immigrant children to self-deport. Reports suggest that ICE plans to send “offer” letters to children aged 14-17 that threaten indefinite detention when the children “age out” of government custody at 18 unless they waive their rights to pursue immigration relief and self-deport. Operation Freaky Friday adds a grotesque carrot to this horrific stick, offering children $2,500 to return to their countries of origin–paid after the child is back in their country. If the children choose not to accept this so-called “offer,” ICE will not only target them for arrest, but also parents and family living in the United States.
Freaky Friday is being launched amid record-high ICE pick-ups and detention of persons with no criminal history and severe shortfalls in legal-services funding, including withdrawals of federal funding for children’s advocates. The rights of immigrant children are under unprecedented attack. In recent months, Mabel attorneys have represented two 18-year-old clients who were picked up and detained by ICE despite no criminal history and with visa for legal status.
The fight continues. On the very day ‘Freaky Friday’ was announced, our client Isabella received her green card. Isabella arrived at age nine as an unaccompanied minor, arriving to the border alone. Alexandra Peredo Carroll, then working at another organization, met young Isabella in 2015 and completed her intake. By coincidence, she referred her for representation to Jill Seeber. Jill took the case, and pursued relief through a Special Immigrant Juvenile visa, a status available to unaccompanied immigrant children who have suffered abuse.
Today, Isabella is eighteen, fluent in English, teaching her mom English, and taking care of her younger sister. She hopes to attend college in Boston. And on Friday, October 3—the very day ICE launched “Freaky Friday”—Isabella was granted her green card! Mabel Center attorneys had fought for a decade to make sure her rights were respected: last week, she got the protection she needs for a stable life in the United States, and in 5 years she will be eligible for citizenship.
No child should be forced into a false choice between unjust, potentially deadly deportation and abandoning basic rights while risking incarceration and the safety of their families. Mabel’s team will fight—case by case and systematically—so children can pursue immigration relief with real legal representation.
Donate today to help us fight against Freaky Friday: https://lnkd.in/eMA9AqqW
Click on the title to see this post on LinkedIn.