Just and Caring Communities
Promise
Our children will play freely in parks, walk safely to bus stops, and
learn in schools as sanctuaries, with neighbors and public servants as
guardians of their well-being.
Problem
Both community and state-sponsored violence rob children of
peace and play. Guns are the leading cause of death for children and youth in America. Two-thirds of the young people in the juvenile justice system are children of color. Children are negatively impacted by immigration enforcement efforts, as 1 in 4 children in the United States have at least one foreign-born parent.
Policy Path
In this zone, CDF will advocate for public policy related to: (1) Gun safety and restrictions, (2) Public health approaches to public safety, (3) Youth justice reform, and (4) Immigration Reform.
Moonshot Generational Commitment
Eliminate youth jails and detention centers to deliver on CDF’s historic commitment to end the “criminalization of children.
Learn MoreRelated Updates
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Immigration
Tell City Officials in Austin: Protect and Support Families
A recent 911 call in Austin led to the arrest, detention, and deportation of a U.S. citizen child. This incident underscores how collaboration between the Austin Police Department (APD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is putting children and families at risk and eroding public trust. …
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Gun Violence
CDF Cares: Supporting Children and Families After the Fatal Shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti
Children’s Defense Fund stands with those affected, offering care, connection, and advocacy during times of crisis. …
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Immigration
Tell Congress: End Family Detention Now!
As a result of the huge budget cuts Congress made to life-saving programs like Medicaid and SNAP in its budget reconciliation bill this summer, millions of Americans are losing access to healthcare and nutrition assistance. …
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Education
Advocate for Immigrant Students’ Access to Higher Education in Texas
During the recent Texas legislative session, some lawmakers proposed legislation that would have limited the provisions of the Texas Dream Act so that Texas high school graduates who are undocumented could no longer qualify for in-state tuition. …