The Child Welfare League of America has joined other national, state and local organizations to support Five Principles to Guide Any Changes to Immigration Law, Policy or Procedure. The signatories agree that children require special care in any immigration legislation, including legislation that may deal with increased enforcement. The statement highlights five key points:

  1. Children are different from adults and should be afforded special protections.
  2. Children cannot have a fair immigration proceeding without an attorney to represent them.
  3. Children need time to establish trust.
  4. Safety must be a paramount concern when investigating each child’s unique story.
  5. The government should not disrupt the parent-child relationship except in extraordinary circumstances, and only then to protect the child’s safety.