A new grant to help unaccompanied children and youth

In the past decade, we have witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of young people arriving at our southern border in desperate circumstances. In 2022, more than 130,000 children and youth traveled alone to the U.S., seeking refuge from violence and poverty. This number has tripled since 2017.

In January, the State of California awarded Jubilee a 5-year grant to serve these young immigrants. This grant will enable Jubilee to expand its services to vulnerable young immigrants who live outside of San Francisco where free immigration legal help is significantly more limited. Most of these unaccompanied minors are from Central and South America. Because many of them are survivors of abuse, neglect and abandonment by a parent, they are potentially eligible for a type of humanitarian immigration relief called Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). 

Jubilee has represented over 90 young people in their SIJS cases.These young immigrants are placed under the care of responsible adult guardians who can care for them in the U.S. SIJS is a pathway to a work permit, a green card and eventually U.S. citizenship for vulnerable young immigrants under age 21. They can, therefore, go to school, spend time with friends and dream about their future without worrying if they will be safe or hungry.

We are grateful for this new grant and for supporters like you who stand with us on the side of wholeness, justice and mercy.

Amy Lee

Executive Director & Immigration Attorney