Congressman Dan Goldman Applauds the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s Decision to Implement Directive from Goldman’s Bipartisan ‘Children’s Court Act’
Executive Office for Immigration Review Issues Directive for the Establishment of Specialized Children’s Docket Following the Introduction of Congressman Goldman’s Bipartisan ‘Children’s Court Act’
Goldman Also Sent Letter to House Appropriators in March 2023 Requesting Creation of Specialized Children’s Docket within Executive Office for Immigration Review
Read EOIR’s Guidance Here
Read More on Goldman’s ‘Children’s Court Act’ Here
Read Goldman’s Letter to House Appropriators Here
New York, NY – Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10) today applauded the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) newly released guidance for children’s immigration proceedings that ensures specialized children’s dockets in each immigration court that will be held separate from adult cases and overseen by dedicated judges.
This directive from EOIR follows the introduction of Congressman Goldman’s bipartisan ‘Children’s Court Act’ which would codify the establishment of a Children’s Court within the EOIR focused on the adjudication of unaccompanied children’s removal proceedings, as well as a letter Goldman sent to House appropriators in March 2023 requesting the establishment of a specialized Children’s Court within the EOIR.
“We have an obligation to protect the children who arrive at our borders without their families, and I am glad that the Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review has responded to the requests by me and my colleagues by issuing a directive establishing a children’s docket that will cater to the specific needs of these children,” Congressman Dan Goldman said. “This is welcome progress and reflects the Biden Administration’s acknowledgement of the gaps in our legal system. But we must build on this effort from the Executive Branch by passing my bipartisan Children’s Court Act to codify the creation of a separate Children’s Court into law.”
In November 2023, Congressman Dan Goldman (NY-10), joined by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), and Congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), introduced the bipartisan ‘Children’s Court Act’ to combat the immigration court backlog and strengthen due process rights for children. U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten (MI-03), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (OR-05) also joined as original cosponsors of this legislation.
Unaccompanied migrant children face unique obstacles as they navigate the complex U.S. immigration system. After they are placed into removal proceedings, many unaccompanied children appear alone before a judge in immigration court. Children’s cases are legally complex and often take longer than adult cases to hear. As a result, there are more than 62,000 pending unaccompanied children’s cases in the United States.
The bipartisan, bicameral Immigration Court Efficiency and Children’s Court Act is a commonsense proposal to strengthen due process for vulnerable children and combat the immigration court backlog. The legislation would establish a Children’s Court within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) focused on the adjudication of unaccompanied children’s removal proceedings.
Pursuant to passage, the newly established Children’s Court would require:
Specially Trained Personnel: Children’s Immigration Court judges would receive special training on child trafficking, developmental and trauma-informed practice, and docket management tools.
Child Participation Protocols: The Children’s Court would ensure that children can easily attend court, actively engage in the process, and fully understand their rights to help overcome typical challenges in children’s proceedings. The bill would require that the Court utilize child-appropriate procedures to help ensure that children comprehend the proceedings, are treated appropriately for their developmental stage, and have sufficient time to secure counsel.
Coordination with Legal Services Organizations: Legal services organizations would coordinate with the Court to help children access legal screening and immigration proceedings at the same time and place to ensure that children obtain counsel faster and more efficiently. This approach reduces unnecessary time in court and can prevent procedural delays.
In March 2023, Congressman Goldman and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten (MI-03) led colleagues in requesting that House appropriators direct the EOIR to ensure that each immigration court establishes specialized children’s dockets designed to create developmentally appropriate adjudications for unaccompanied children.
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