Frequently Asked Questions
What is KIND?
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is an innovative new non-profit
organization founded by Microsoft Corporation and actress and
humanitarian Angelina Jolie. KIND is committed to helping provide
competent and compassionate legal counsel to refugee and immigrant
children who are in the United States without their parents or
legal guardian. Many of these children came to the United States to
seek safe haven from human rights abuses, domestic violence and
trafficking.
Why is KIND needed?
Each year, more than 8,000 children come to the United States
without a parent or guardian and are placed into U.S. custody. Many
are escaping abuse, fleeing persecution and seeking safety. When
they are apprehended and face immigration proceedings, the majority
must do so without a lawyer. Without counsel, most children can't
understand the complex procedures they face and the options open to
them. Too often, children with viable claims are not able to
present them and are sent back to uncertain and often perilous
fates, where their well-being, and even their lives, may be in
danger.
Click here to learn how to get involved with KIND
What is KIND’s mission?
KIND works to find pro bono lawyers to represent these
unaccompanied children. KIND has partnered with 43 law firms and
corporations who have committed to providing pro bono support. KIND
hosts trainings to teach attorneys about the immigration process
and legal remedies available to children. KIND also provides
comprehensive assistance and mentorship to the pro bono attorneys
who take on cases. By 2010, KIND intends to ensure that all
unaccompanied children in the cities where it works have legal
representation. KIND believes this is an ambitious, but achievable
goal. KIND also advocates for changes in U.S. law to protect the
rights of unaccompanied children.
What types of cases does KIND handle?
KIND helps children with all types of immigration cases,
including those in which the child is likely to be deported. KIND
provides assistance with asylum, special immigrant juvenile status
(SIJS), U or T visas, VAWA petitions, family based petitions, and
other forms of protection from deportation. KIND believes that
every child needs and deserves an attorney, even when leaving the
United States voluntarily to return to his or her home country.
Where is KIND?
KIND's headquarters are in Washington, DC. KIND has field
offices in Baltimore, Boston, Houston, Los Angeles, Newark, New
York City and Washington, D.C. KIND will be expanding to additional
cities where the need is the greatest.
What if I know a child who needs help?
If you know an immigrant child who is in the United States alone
and needs legal assistance, please contact KIND at the office
nearest you.
How can I help KIND?
KIND needs compassionate and committed support. If you are an
attorney or paralegal you can help in many ways; no immigration
experience is necessary. You can help by providing "Know Your
Rights" presentations to explain procedures, rights and remedies to
children and their sponsors; or by conducting outreach activities
to unaccompanied children and their family members at schools,
churches and community centers. Attorneys can also represent
children who have no legal options other than deportation or
voluntary return. Attorneys who can make a longer-term commitment
can provide direct representation of children before immigration
courts and other adjudicatory bodies, with substantive assistance
from KIND.
KIND welcomes law students and others to interpret and translate
during intake interviews, perform case follow-up and conduct
community presentations, among other opportunities.
For more information about KIND, please visit our website,
www.supportkind.org, email us at info@supportkind.org or contact an
office below:
Baltimore, MD: Liz Lee, 202-257-7721, llee@supportkind.org
Boston, MA: Ann Cooper, 202-286-1843, acooper@supportkind.org
Houston, TX: Yasmin Yavar, 713-228-0735, x102, yyavar@supportkind.org
Los Angeles, CA: Gladis Molina, 213-896-2515, gmolina@supportkind.org
Lindsay Lang, (213) 896-2538, llang@supportkind.org
Newark, NJ: Wendy Wylegala, 862-926-2080, wwylegala@supportkind.org
New York, NY: Diana Castañeda, 646-728-4104, dcastaneda@supportkind.org
Anne Marie Mulcahy, 646-728-4109, amulcahy@supportkind.org
Washington, DC: Daria Fisher Page, 202-682-7067, dfisherpage@supportkind.org
Paul Lee, 202-682-7166, plee@supportkind.org
1 Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS): for
abused, neglected or abandoned children
2 U or T visas: for children who are victims of
violence and other criminal activity, including trafficking
3 VAWA petitions: for children who are victims of
domestic violence or abuse
4 Family based petitions: to help children stay with
their family