Immigration
Blog
Find our latest articles, reports, and weekly editions at Children's Defense Fund.
-
-
Early Childhood
Reflections on Parental Leave
Over the last 7 weeks, I have been lucky to take a second stint of parental leave in addition to the 5 weeks I had at the start of our child’s life. This experience has given practical meaning to what I have intellectually known for some time: parental leave is tremendously important to bond with a new child, to develop as a parent, and for fathers, to pursue a fatherhood that works to meet motherhood as an equal.
| National -
Immigration
Cruelty Is the Point: The Trump Administration’s Dangerous Family Separation Policy
“We need to take away children,” then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions told prosecutors in May 2018, according to a draft Department of Justice report obtained by the New York Times. The prosecutors in the room reportedly recoiled, but this is what followed: thousands of immigrant children ripped from their parents, a global outcry, and our ongoing national and moral disgrace.
| National -
-
-
-
-
Child Poverty
Family Crisis Cash Assistance Act Seeks to Provide Automatic Cash Assistance to Suffering Families
A new bill, the Family Crisis Cash Assistance Act (H.R. 8387/S. 4770), introduced last week in the Senate by Senator Brian Schatz and in the House by Congresswoman Gwen Moore would make sure that every household in need would receive cash to help meet their needs in the case of a sudden economic downturn or natural disaster.
| National -
Condemnation of White Supremacy
At the Presidential debate this week, President Donald Trump refused to condemn white supremacist groups, instead telling them to “stand back and stand by.” It was a terrifying moment in a time when violence motivated by racism is on the rise in America, and it was hailed as a victory by violent white supremacist groups across the country.
| National -
Child Health
What the Latest COVID Relief Bill Means for Children
This week, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi introduced a new version of the HEROES Act. Despite the smaller price tag, this bill maintains many of the key priorities for children and families included in the May bill passed by the House, while also taking steps to address at least two critical pieces for children and families that to date, have been largely left out of Congress’ earlier efforts to ensure relief: significant funding for the child care sector and critical investments to help support children, youth, and families across the child welfare continuum. While this new bill may still fall short of all of the things we know children and families need to weather this health and economic crisis, it’s imperative that Congress take this crucial next step to ensure long overdue relief now.
| National
Featured Blog Series
For Our Children
From the desk of President and CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, discover a new take on child well-being and advocacy. Read to learn more about shaping conversations, policies, and actions for improving the lives of our nation's children and youth.
Learn More