Family Separation | Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) Skip to main content

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Family Separation

Under the Trump Administration’s cruel “Zero Tolerance” policy and its preceding pilot program, the U.S. government separated more than 5,500 asylum-seeking families. Large protests and public outrage gripped the nation when the policy was revealed in May 2018, and a court order in June 2018 in the Ms. L v. ICE case led to the reunification and release of many of the families in the United States. The reunited families were left to fight their immigration cases alone in the United States while those who remained separated were given no opportunity to reunite in the United States. The separated families — whether reunited or still separated — are still reeling from the trauma of the separation. For those who were reunited, the prospect of re-separation if they do not win their asylum claims makes healing more difficult. But the Trump administration’s radical changes to asylum law make prevailing on asylum claims infinitely harder, especially without access to government appointed counsel. Parents who remain separated from their children have been forced to watch their children grow up over video calls, and their children have been forced to integrate into a new country without their parent.

In 2019, CLINIC, in collaboration with its partners and affiliates, created the National Reunited Family Assistance Project, a multi-faceted national response to the family separation crisis. The National Reunited Family Assistance Project provides crucial legal, mental health and social service support to separated families. CLINIC assesses families’ cases for deportation relief and places them with long-term counsel nationwide. We provide pro and low bono attorneys who represent formerly separated families with mentoring, technical assistance and training. CLINIC also provides gap-filling direct representation, including filing motions to change venue to ensure families do not receive in absentia removal orders, completing timely applications for asylum and employment authorization, and filing motions to reopen immigration proceedings.

CLINIC has developed partnerships with numerous social service providers, including food banks and housing organizations, and mental health service providers across the country to help separated families. In addition, CLINIC has secured targeted grants to assist families with purchasing essential items and providing families with transportation so they can actively participate in their immigration cases. CLINIC created and maintains a private online community for separated parents, where separated parents share stories and strategies, receive updates, ask questions of expert attorneys, and request assistance.

To reach our project directly, please contact rep.reunitedfamilies@cliniclegal.org.

Template Motion to Rescind in Absentia Removal Order and Reopen Removal Proceedings for Formerly Separated Families

CLINIC and the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, or ASAP, authored this template Motion to Rescind In Absentia Removal Order and Reopen Removal Proceedings for Formerly Separated Families with the goal of assisting practitioners who represent or wish to represent these families.

Resources on Family Separation

For a full list of all topics visit our resource library.

Guidance for Practitioners: Understanding the 2018 Settlement Agreement in the Family Separation Litigation

Last updated on November 5, 2021

Family Separation

Preparing an Applicant's Declaration in Support of Asylum (and Related Relief)

Last updated on August 30, 2019

Family Separation, Removal Proceedings, Defensive Asylum

A Guide to Assisting Asylum-Seekers with In Absentia Removal Orders

Last updated on July 10, 2019

Asylum and Refugee Law, Humanitarian Relief, Family Separation, Motions to Reopen

What You Need to Know About the Dora v. Sessions, Ms. L v. ICE, and M.M.M. v. Sessions Preliminary Settlement Agreement

Last updated on October 19, 2018

Asylum and Refugee Law, Border Issues, Family Separation

Promoting the Dignity of Immigrants With Affordable Legal Expertise

As it has for more than 30 years, CLINIC will fight for the rights of immigrants. CLINIC trains legal representatives who provide high-quality and affordable immigration legal services. We develop and sustain a network of nonprofit programs that serve over 500,000 immigrants every year. We cultivate projects that support and defend vulnerable immigrant populations by:

  • Providing direct representation for asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border and educating them about their rights;
  • Reuniting formerly separated families;
  • Increasing legal representation for those in removal proceedings and in detention;
  • Providing public education on immigration law and policies; and
  • Advocating for fair and just immigration policies that acknowledge the inherent dignity and value of all people.

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About the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc.

Embracing the Gospel value of welcoming the stranger, CLINIC promotes the dignity and protects the rights of immigrants in partnership with a dedicated network of Catholic and community legal immigration programs. We are based out of Silver Spring, Maryland (Washington, D.C. metropolitan area), with an office in Oakland, California, and additional staff working from locations throughout the country. Questions and inquiries can be sent to national@cliniclegal.org.

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Phone: (301) 565-4800
Fax: (301) 565-4824

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