We are bringing hope to the immigrants arriving here and recognizing them as children of God. We share in the presence of God in each specific encounter, and it’s very important the Church show up for the plight of immigrants.
– Sister Norma Pimentel, MJ, Missionaries of Jesus
Child immigration
Imagine being seven years old and facing immigration court after experiencing abuse, trafficking or abandonment. You may not speak English, understand the legal system or know what will happen to you next. Now imagine facing it without a lawyer.
This is becoming a reality for more unaccompanied immigrant children in Michigan. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) has provided legal representation to unaccompanied children in federal custody in Michigan for years, serving about 1,100 children this year alone. But the federal contract supporting this work ended July 31, 2026. MIRC reports that it has 948 open children’s cases but expects to be able to continue only about 420 without additional funding.
Many of these children have fled violence, persecution, abuse or trafficking. Legal representation can help them understand their rights and pursue protections such as asylum or Special Immigrant Juvenile Status. Catholic Social Teaching reminds us that every person has inherent dignity regardless of nationality or immigration status. Children who arrive alone are among the most vulnerable people in our society and deserve particular protection. The U.S. bishops have specifically called for robust funding for legal services for unaccompanied children and a trauma-informed immigration process.
Take action
Support legal services. Consider donating to MIRC, which continues to provide legal services and advocacy for immigrant children and families. MIRC also offers volunteer opportunities for attorneys and people with language skills.
Contact Congress. Ask your senators and representative to protect funding for legal services and programs serving unaccompanied children. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration Action Alerts and Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) provide opportunities to contact members of Congress.
Stay informed and speak up. Justice for Immigrants, a USCCB initiative, offers Catholic immigration action alerts, advocacy resources and educational materials.
Equip your parish or community. The Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC) offers a 2026 toolkit, Supporting Immigrants in a Time of Need, with resources for Catholic communities seeking to accompany and advocate for immigrants.
Did you know?
In immigration law, a child’s birthday can sometimes become a legal deadline. For example, children seeking Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) status in Michigan because they have experienced abuse, abandonment or neglect generally must file their SIJ petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before turning 21. They also need to meet requirements involving a state juvenile court. That means a child who is eligible for protection may have only a limited window of time to obtain the necessary court order and file the appropriate paperwork. For a young person who has already survived trauma, losing access to a knowledgeable attorney can mean losing an opportunity for protection. This is one reason timely, specialized legal assistance for unaccompanied children is so important.