Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)

KIND helps immigrant and refugee children who come to the United States without a parent or legal guardian. Most are fleeing pervasive narco-trafficking, human trafficking, and gang violence in Central America—El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala—from which their governments cannot or will not protect them. Others are fleeing severe abuse including sexual and gender-based violence, which includes rape, sex trafficking, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, and forced or early marriage. A number have been abandoned or have lost their caregivers. The children range in age from toddlers to teenagers. The large majority of children KIND serves are from Central America, but KIND has been referred children from 74 different countries. KIND provides attorneys to represent children at no cost.

Immigration judges are 100 times more likely to grant legal relief to unaccompanied children with counsel than to those without. Without a fair chance to make their case, children who need and deserve protection can be sent back to grave harm.

KIND partners with law firms, corporation, bar associations, and law schools which agree to represent children referred to us at no cost. KIND provides training and mentorship–no immigration experience is necessary. KIND’s social services coordinators help children referred to us with their non-legal needs, including counseling and school enrollment.