Ms. Wilkes is a lawyer who represents children caught in the immigration process because they tried to come to the U.S. illegally. She works with 60-70 children at a time.
TOPIC: Immigrant Children Who come to the U.S. Illegally
- Kids who come here don’t choose to come here; they are usually brought by their parents, or are sent by their parents to join them in the United States. Parents pay coyotes to bring their children to the U.S.
- Kids whose parents get deported can stay with a family member or friend, go to a foster home, or they could either get a social worker that will put them in a new family. It depends what their parents want to happen.
- There are special immigration laws that apply to children if they are under 18 years old. Kids who need help should get it before they turn 18.
- Undocumented children are not able to attend to college because of their immigration status. The DREAM Act is a proposed bill that wants to give undocumented students who have graduated from high school the chance to go to college, qualify for federal loans, public and private scholarships, and a chance at the “American Dream.”
- Many kids come to this country to avoid having problems or being in danger in their native country. Sometimes kids come to the U.S. because they are pressured to join gangs in their home country, or to run away from abuse.
- Kids who are seeking asylum are placed in detention centers for 4-5 weeks, where they live and go to school. If there is proof that they are in danger in their home country, then are released into foster care or taken to shelters.
