Jayapal blasts 'kids docket'

Rep. Jayapal recorded and posted video from a visit to Seattle’s immigration court documenting the juvenile docket on her official channels. (youtube.com)) The Executive Office for Immigration Review issued Director’s Memorandum 24‑01 on December 21, 2023, which formally established specialized juvenile dockets, directed designated judges for those dockets, and instructed scheduling of child‑only hearings. (justice.gov)) Department of Justice–referenced reporting showed that just 56% of unaccompanied minors in immigration court had legal representation in 2023. (abcnews.com)) Senators reasserted that immigration judges are nearly 100 times more likely to grant relief to children with counsel than to those without, citing EOIR and DOJ data in support of proposed legislation. (markey.senate.gov)) Advocates and lawmakers flagged a recent contract termination that had funded legal services for approximately 26,000 unaccompanied children, and reporting says the funding cuts affected more than 80 legal‑service providers. (markey.senate.gov)) Jayapal introduced the Protection of Kids in Detention (PROKID) Act on May 23, 2024, which would create a permanent Office of the Ombudsperson within HHS to oversee placement, care, and release decisions for immigrant children. (jayapal.house.gov)) Congressional action has included the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act reintroduced on April 3, 2025, to guarantee counsel for unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings. (markey.senate.gov)) National nonprofits report operational scale behind the advocacy: KIND says it has served more than 20,000 unaccompanied children through a nationwide pro bono network, and Acacia warned that the funding cuts risked children “as young as 18 months” appearing in court without lawyers. (supportkind.org))