Join Our List
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.
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
