Melissa Adamson
@melissaadamson.bsky.social
Attorney at the National Center for Youth Law (@youthlaw.bsky.social).
Views are my own.
Views are my own.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
The places where our children grow, dream, and belong should always be protected. They deserve to feel safe in spaces that are made for them.
November 6, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The places where our children grow, dream, and belong should always be protected. They deserve to feel safe in spaces that are made for them.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
ICE plans a 24/7 hotline to "track down" unaccompanied kids.
NCYL's Neha Desai: “These children are then re-detained in a system that has become nearly impossible to exit.”
Children deserve care and stability, not surveillance and fear.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
NCYL's Neha Desai: “These children are then re-detained in a system that has become nearly impossible to exit.”
Children deserve care and stability, not surveillance and fear.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
ICE Contract Would Help the Police Track Down Immigrant Children
Advocates fear the move would increase the number of family separations.
www.bloomberg.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
ICE plans a 24/7 hotline to "track down" unaccompanied kids.
NCYL's Neha Desai: “These children are then re-detained in a system that has become nearly impossible to exit.”
Children deserve care and stability, not surveillance and fear.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
NCYL's Neha Desai: “These children are then re-detained in a system that has become nearly impossible to exit.”
Children deserve care and stability, not surveillance and fear.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
🚨 Together, NCYL and @acaciajustice.bsky.social released companion reports exposing recent ORR policy changes preventing unaccompanied children’s release from custody and highlighting the devastating consequences of these children’s prolonged custody.
Read more: youthlaw.org/news/two-new...
Read more: youthlaw.org/news/two-new...
September 29, 2025 at 4:10 PM
🚨 Together, NCYL and @acaciajustice.bsky.social released companion reports exposing recent ORR policy changes preventing unaccompanied children’s release from custody and highlighting the devastating consequences of these children’s prolonged custody.
Read more: youthlaw.org/news/two-new...
Read more: youthlaw.org/news/two-new...
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
🚨 BREAKING: A district court has blocked the Trump admin from expelling Guatemalan children from the U.S. without due process. Every child deserves safety, dignity, and healing.
We are proud to represent these children with @nilc.org and @icapgeorgetown.bsky.social.
youthlaw.org/news/advocat...
We are proud to represent these children with @nilc.org and @icapgeorgetown.bsky.social.
youthlaw.org/news/advocat...
September 18, 2025 at 6:31 PM
🚨 BREAKING: A district court has blocked the Trump admin from expelling Guatemalan children from the U.S. without due process. Every child deserves safety, dignity, and healing.
We are proud to represent these children with @nilc.org and @icapgeorgetown.bsky.social.
youthlaw.org/news/advocat...
We are proud to represent these children with @nilc.org and @icapgeorgetown.bsky.social.
youthlaw.org/news/advocat...
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Judge Kelly asked about Drew Ensign’s prior representation that “all of these children have their parents or guardians in Guatemala who are requesting their return.”
Sarah Welch, for DOJ, agreed to withdraw that claim, saying she “can’t affirmatively represent that that is correct.”
Sarah Welch, for DOJ, agreed to withdraw that claim, saying she “can’t affirmatively represent that that is correct.”
September 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Judge Kelly asked about Drew Ensign’s prior representation that “all of these children have their parents or guardians in Guatemala who are requesting their return.”
Sarah Welch, for DOJ, agreed to withdraw that claim, saying she “can’t affirmatively represent that that is correct.”
Sarah Welch, for DOJ, agreed to withdraw that claim, saying she “can’t affirmatively represent that that is correct.”
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Today is a win for due process, but this never should have happened.
This admin's attempt to remove hundreds of kids in the dead of night and circumvent the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act is shameful. The courts were right to step in.
www.cbsnews.com/news/guatema...
This admin's attempt to remove hundreds of kids in the dead of night and circumvent the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act is shameful. The courts were right to step in.
www.cbsnews.com/news/guatema...
Judge blocks deportation of Guatemalan migrant children as flights were ready to take off
The plaintiffs in this case are 10 migrant children between the ages of 10 and 17 who entered the U.S. without authorization and without their parents or legal guardians.
www.cbsnews.com
August 31, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Today is a win for due process, but this never should have happened.
This admin's attempt to remove hundreds of kids in the dead of night and circumvent the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act is shameful. The courts were right to step in.
www.cbsnews.com/news/guatema...
This admin's attempt to remove hundreds of kids in the dead of night and circumvent the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act is shameful. The courts were right to step in.
www.cbsnews.com/news/guatema...
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
“Unaccompanied children are being used as pawns in an effort to deport as many people as possible, regardless of the human toll it takes on the most vulnerable members of our community.” - Neha Desai from @youthlaw.bsky.social
Big scoop from @cnn.com's Priscilla Alvarez ↘️
Big scoop from @cnn.com's Priscilla Alvarez ↘️
Exclusive: Trump administration moves to rapidly deport migrant children, asking teens if they want to leave | CNN Politics
The Trump administration is moving to rapidly deport some migrant children who arrived in the US without a parent or guardian by having federal agents ask teens whether they want to voluntarily depart...
www.cnn.com
July 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
“Unaccompanied children are being used as pawns in an effort to deport as many people as possible, regardless of the human toll it takes on the most vulnerable members of our community.” - Neha Desai from @youthlaw.bsky.social
Big scoop from @cnn.com's Priscilla Alvarez ↘️
Big scoop from @cnn.com's Priscilla Alvarez ↘️
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 3, 2025 at 6:58 PM
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Detaining families in unlicensed, unregulated facilities for an unlimited time is a human rights violation—plain and simple. The Senate budget bill enables that cruelty.
✊🏽 Children deserve care, not cages.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
✊🏽 Children deserve care, not cages.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
June 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Detaining families in unlicensed, unregulated facilities for an unlimited time is a human rights violation—plain and simple. The Senate budget bill enables that cruelty.
✊🏽 Children deserve care, not cages.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
✊🏽 Children deserve care, not cages.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
The Senate budget bill lets the government detain immigrant families indefinitely in unlicensed facilities.
This is a direct threat to children’s health and safety. Congress must reject this cruelty. 📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
This is a direct threat to children’s health and safety. Congress must reject this cruelty. 📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
June 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
The Senate budget bill lets the government detain immigrant families indefinitely in unlicensed facilities.
This is a direct threat to children’s health and safety. Congress must reject this cruelty. 📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
This is a direct threat to children’s health and safety. Congress must reject this cruelty. 📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
If you have been wondering how you can help in this moment, here is a place to start:
The Senate budget bill guts key protections for detained immigrant children and allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities.
Tell Congress to vote NO on the budget bill 👇
The Senate budget bill guts key protections for detained immigrant children and allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities.
Tell Congress to vote NO on the budget bill 👇
We stand with @theyoungcenter.bsky.social @acaciajustice.bsky.social @immigrantjustice.bsky.social @childrens-rights.bsky.social + @chrclla.bsky.social in calling on Congress to vote NO on the budget bill.
Take action now: youthlaw.org/voteno
Take action now: youthlaw.org/voteno
June 23, 2025 at 11:08 PM
If you have been wondering how you can help in this moment, here is a place to start:
The Senate budget bill guts key protections for detained immigrant children and allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities.
Tell Congress to vote NO on the budget bill 👇
The Senate budget bill guts key protections for detained immigrant children and allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities.
Tell Congress to vote NO on the budget bill 👇
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
🚨 The Senate budget bill puts immigrant children in grave danger.
It guts key protections, allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities, and increases children’s risk of abuse, and exploitation.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
It guts key protections, allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities, and increases children’s risk of abuse, and exploitation.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
June 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM
🚨 The Senate budget bill puts immigrant children in grave danger.
It guts key protections, allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities, and increases children’s risk of abuse, and exploitation.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
It guts key protections, allows indefinite family detention in unlicensed facilities, and increases children’s risk of abuse, and exploitation.
📢 Tell Congress: NO on the budget bill. youthlaw.org/voteno
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Shouldn’t the NY Times headline note that this new policy breaks the law?
June 19, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Shouldn’t the NY Times headline note that this new policy breaks the law?
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
BREAKING: Flores counsel — NCYL, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social — filed a motion to enforce protections for immigrant children, exposing prolonged detention, filthy conditions, family separation & abuse. The gov't is failing children. Read more: youthlaw.org/news/amid-go...
Amid Government’s Efforts to Terminate Flores, Counsel File Motion to Enforce Agreement, Citing Prolonged Detention of Children and 'Culture of Cruelty' | National Center for Youth Law
Flores Counsel yesterday evening filed a motion to enforce the Settlement, citing the government’s prolonged detention of children, which has compounded the harm of other ongoing violations,…
youthlaw.org
June 18, 2025 at 3:14 PM
BREAKING: Flores counsel — NCYL, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social — filed a motion to enforce protections for immigrant children, exposing prolonged detention, filthy conditions, family separation & abuse. The gov't is failing children. Read more: youthlaw.org/news/amid-go...
Last week: The Trump admin went to court to end basic humanitarian standards for children in immigration custody.
This week: A pregnant mother and her family - including an 11-month old - were held by CBP for 24 days in a windowless cell.
When someone shows you their plan, believe them.
This week: A pregnant mother and her family - including an 11-month old - were held by CBP for 24 days in a windowless cell.
When someone shows you their plan, believe them.
A family from southwestern Africa that was living in Washington state while seeking asylum said they were detained by immigration officials for nearly a month in a windowless cell.
‘Like a jail cell’: Family of six detained at Washington state border facility for more than three weeks
A pregnant mother-of-four is raising concerns about their detention in a single room for 24 days.
www.opb.org
May 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Last week: The Trump admin went to court to end basic humanitarian standards for children in immigration custody.
This week: A pregnant mother and her family - including an 11-month old - were held by CBP for 24 days in a windowless cell.
When someone shows you their plan, believe them.
This week: A pregnant mother and her family - including an 11-month old - were held by CBP for 24 days in a windowless cell.
When someone shows you their plan, believe them.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
👉 Today, the Trump administration filed a motion in court to end the Flores Settlement - an agreement that provides basic safeguards for the treatment of children in federal immigration custody.
Why does this matter? Let’s break it down: 🧵👇
Why does this matter? Let’s break it down: 🧵👇
May 22, 2025 at 9:13 PM
👉 Today, the Trump administration filed a motion in court to end the Flores Settlement - an agreement that provides basic safeguards for the treatment of children in federal immigration custody.
Why does this matter? Let’s break it down: 🧵👇
Why does this matter? Let’s break it down: 🧵👇
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
In a widely-expected move, the Trump admin is making yet another effort to terminate the Flores Settlement, which since the 1990s has imposed limitations on the government's treatment of children in immigration detention.
They lost every effort to do this in Trump's first term.
They lost every effort to do this in Trump's first term.
NEW: Today, the Trump admin filed to end the Flores Settlement-an agreement that provides basic safeguards for children in federal immigration custody.
We, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social will keep fighting to defend these children’s health & safety. youthlaw.org/news/trump-a...
We, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social will keep fighting to defend these children’s health & safety. youthlaw.org/news/trump-a...
Trump administration moves to end settlement that protects immigrant children; Flores counsel vow to defend vital safeguards | National Center for Youth Law
Today, the Trump administration filed a motion to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, which for years has set the standards for the humane treatment of immigrant children in government custody,...
youthlaw.org
May 22, 2025 at 9:00 PM
In a widely-expected move, the Trump admin is making yet another effort to terminate the Flores Settlement, which since the 1990s has imposed limitations on the government's treatment of children in immigration detention.
They lost every effort to do this in Trump's first term.
They lost every effort to do this in Trump's first term.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
NEW: Today, the Trump admin filed to end the Flores Settlement-an agreement that provides basic safeguards for children in federal immigration custody.
We, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social will keep fighting to defend these children’s health & safety. youthlaw.org/news/trump-a...
We, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social will keep fighting to defend these children’s health & safety. youthlaw.org/news/trump-a...
Trump administration moves to end settlement that protects immigrant children; Flores counsel vow to defend vital safeguards | National Center for Youth Law
Today, the Trump administration filed a motion to terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement, which for years has set the standards for the humane treatment of immigrant children in government custody,...
youthlaw.org
May 22, 2025 at 8:55 PM
NEW: Today, the Trump admin filed to end the Flores Settlement-an agreement that provides basic safeguards for children in federal immigration custody.
We, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social will keep fighting to defend these children’s health & safety. youthlaw.org/news/trump-a...
We, @chrclla.bsky.social & @childrens-rights.bsky.social will keep fighting to defend these children’s health & safety. youthlaw.org/news/trump-a...
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
If Trump can undermine due process for immigrants here legally, he can do the same to you.
What happens when he disagrees with you? What happens if he doesn’t like what you say? He’ll come after you just like he has to so many others.
We must stand up for our collective rights.
What happens when he disagrees with you? What happens if he doesn’t like what you say? He’ll come after you just like he has to so many others.
We must stand up for our collective rights.
May 18, 2025 at 7:19 PM
If Trump can undermine due process for immigrants here legally, he can do the same to you.
What happens when he disagrees with you? What happens if he doesn’t like what you say? He’ll come after you just like he has to so many others.
We must stand up for our collective rights.
What happens when he disagrees with you? What happens if he doesn’t like what you say? He’ll come after you just like he has to so many others.
We must stand up for our collective rights.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Deeply grateful to the brave children and their families who made this case possible. @youthlaw.bsky.social is ready to keep fighting to get these kids home to their families.
BREAKING: Immigrant children are being detained in U.S. custody for months—even when their families are ready to bring them home.
NCYL and @democracyforward.org just filed a class action lawsuit against HHS to stop it.
Read more here: youthlaw.org/news/new-law...
NCYL and @democracyforward.org just filed a class action lawsuit against HHS to stop it.
Read more here: youthlaw.org/news/new-law...
New Lawsuit Challenges “Paperwork Barrier” Keeping Immigrant Children Separated from Family and Detained in Government Custody | National Center for Youth Law
Washington, D.C. — Today, children and an immigrant defense organization represented by the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) and Democracy Forward filed a class action complaint in the U.S. Distri...
youthlaw.org
May 8, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Deeply grateful to the brave children and their families who made this case possible. @youthlaw.bsky.social is ready to keep fighting to get these kids home to their families.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
BREAKING: Immigrant children are being detained in U.S. custody for months—even when their families are ready to bring them home.
NCYL and @democracyforward.org just filed a class action lawsuit against HHS to stop it.
Read more here: youthlaw.org/news/new-law...
NCYL and @democracyforward.org just filed a class action lawsuit against HHS to stop it.
Read more here: youthlaw.org/news/new-law...
New Lawsuit Challenges “Paperwork Barrier” Keeping Immigrant Children Separated from Family and Detained in Government Custody | National Center for Youth Law
Washington, D.C. — Today, children and an immigrant defense organization represented by the National Center for Youth Law (NCYL) and Democracy Forward filed a class action complaint in the U.S. Distri...
youthlaw.org
May 8, 2025 at 9:02 PM
BREAKING: Immigrant children are being detained in U.S. custody for months—even when their families are ready to bring them home.
NCYL and @democracyforward.org just filed a class action lawsuit against HHS to stop it.
Read more here: youthlaw.org/news/new-law...
NCYL and @democracyforward.org just filed a class action lawsuit against HHS to stop it.
Read more here: youthlaw.org/news/new-law...
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
"Children in government care are now isolated—from their families, from lawyers and other professionals who can help them ..."
Trump regime’s polices are prolonging children detention & making it nearly impossible for many families to reunite.
Cruelty is always their point.
Trump regime’s polices are prolonging children detention & making it nearly impossible for many families to reunite.
Cruelty is always their point.
Immigrant Kids Trapped in U.S. Custody: The Hidden Crisis Inside the Office of Refugee Resettlement
A new form of family separation has been quietly engineered at the Office of Refugee Resettlement’s Unaccompanied Minors program, the HHS office responsible for the care and custody of immigrant child...
msmagazine.com
May 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
"Children in government care are now isolated—from their families, from lawyers and other professionals who can help them ..."
Trump regime’s polices are prolonging children detention & making it nearly impossible for many families to reunite.
Cruelty is always their point.
Trump regime’s polices are prolonging children detention & making it nearly impossible for many families to reunite.
Cruelty is always their point.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
The reconciliation package would also charge anyone who wants to sponsor an unaccompanied child out of an ORR shelter $8,500(!), of which $5,000 would be reimbursed years later if the child was not ordered deported "in absentia" for missing court.
That's a price that would stop nearly all sponsors.
That's a price that would stop nearly all sponsors.
April 28, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The reconciliation package would also charge anyone who wants to sponsor an unaccompanied child out of an ORR shelter $8,500(!), of which $5,000 would be reimbursed years later if the child was not ordered deported "in absentia" for missing court.
That's a price that would stop nearly all sponsors.
That's a price that would stop nearly all sponsors.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Children, no matter where they come from, deserve to live free from fear, with their families, safe in their communities.
No child should ever dread going to school or outside to play thinking that ICE might deport them or their loved ones.
No child should ever dread going to school or outside to play thinking that ICE might deport them or their loved ones.
Fear Shadows Many Children in Immigrant Families
Heightened immigration enforcement is stirring anxiety among children whose parents are vulnerable to deportation. “Every day I worry they could take my mom.”
www.nytimes.com
April 21, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Children, no matter where they come from, deserve to live free from fear, with their families, safe in their communities.
No child should ever dread going to school or outside to play thinking that ICE might deport them or their loved ones.
No child should ever dread going to school or outside to play thinking that ICE might deport them or their loved ones.
Reposted by Melissa Adamson
Because of the administration's harmful cuts to legal services funding for kids, immigrant children are left without support and representation. Our own Neha Desai, Managing Director of Children's Rights and Human Dignity, spoke with @cnn.com: edition.cnn.com/2025/04/17/p...
‘Railroad kids through the system’: Immigration court’s youngest left to their own devices | CNN Politics
Every week, Evelyn Flores travels to government shelters in the Washington, DC, region for story time with migrant children, telling the tale of a cartoon cat learning to navigate a confusing immigrat...
edition.cnn.com
April 19, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Because of the administration's harmful cuts to legal services funding for kids, immigrant children are left without support and representation. Our own Neha Desai, Managing Director of Children's Rights and Human Dignity, spoke with @cnn.com: edition.cnn.com/2025/04/17/p...