Many parents are worried about their children being deported and are going to court to keep their kids in the United States with them. In 2014, almost 60,000 cases were filed in federal immigration court in an effort to prevent the deportation of children. This is a significant increase from previous years due to the number of Central American kids who have come to the U.S.
Many cases are filed because parents are afraid to have their children return to their home country. Parents can apply for protection from deportation under a current administration program.
Many children are from Central America, which has recently seen an increase in violence. Many cases include interviews involving claims of violence that would threaten the safety of the entire family.
Asylum applications can be very complex and stressful for parents and children. However, if the children are granted asylum and pass a background check, their case will be closed and they can stay in the country.
Most asylum cases do not reach a decision until at least six months or longer. This can put a big strain on your family due to the stress of not knowing if your asylum case will be granted.
If you or a family member is seeking asylum or is facing another immigration issue, it can be very helpful to work with a skilled immigration attorney. An attorney can make sure all factors are considered and that immigration laws are followed correctly to help find the best outcome possible.
Source: The Press Enterprise, “Immigration: Parents fighting for kids to stay in U.S.,” David Olson, April 11, 2015