That is where volunteers at Catholic Charities come in. They serve as scribes, filling out Form I-159 to help the children apply for asylum. For most, it's the last option to legally remain in the U.S.
Among the questions: "Have you, your family or close friends or colleagues ever experienced harm or mistreatment in the past by anyone.
I've been mistreated a number of times - by bosses, parents, even my children. What do I get?
If 'Yes,' explain in detail." Or, "Are your afraid of being subjected to torture in your home country or in any other country to which you may be returned?"
Been tortured in this country for the last six years.
Nearly 100 women and children have passed through the clinic since it began eight months ago.
Well, at least that part is not a flood - one every two-and-a-half days.
An asylum application must be based on a well-founded fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a social group.
Advocates for the Central American children believe they qualify because they are in an age group that places them at risk of gang violence, recruitment or exploitation.
Good thing we got all those American cases cleared up, so there is no more risk of gang violence. Like in Ferguson or Baltimore. Or Detroit. LA. Chicago. New York. DC. Et cetera.
They believe the law has been interpreted too narrowly regarding the youths.
Many of the the children have to represent themselves ‐ pro se in legal terms ‐ in their quest for asylum. They have no right to a government-paid attorney for civil deportation proceedings. Some find private attorneys who will work for free. In some cases, their parents or guardians find the money to hire an attorney.About a third of the unaccompanied children in the federal immigration courts in 2014 had attorneys. Without lawyers, they have little chance to remain legally in the U.S.
Lawyers. The only winners in this game. Gotta have 'em to stay; gotta have 'em to get deported.