Trudy Taylor Smith is senior administrator of policy and advocacy with Children’s Defense Fund-Texas.
I want you to imagine a toddler appearing in court to face off against a government-trained attorney trying to deport them. Think of their terror as they take their seat in the courtroom, legs swinging because they’re not long enough to reach the floor. Consider the plight of a teenage survivor of sexual violence, unable to speak English, or too traumatized to mention key facts about the experiences that could determine the outcome of their case.
No state in America is home to more unaccompanied immigrant children than Texas. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, over 13,000 children were released to sponsors across our state. Every day, many of these children face the kinds of traumatizing situations described above. Their lives hang in the balance, but, with no legal representation, they often have no one to defend their rights or ensure a fair process.
