Forced from Home: The Lost Boys and Girls of Central America. MEDIA BRIEFING 10.15.12

Groundbreaking Report on Surge of
Unaccompanied Immigrant Children
Coming to the United States 

Telephone Press Briefing

WHAT: From October 2011 to April 2012, U.S. immigration officials apprehended nearly twice as many unaccompanied children as in previous years, with most coming alone from El Salvador, Guatemala or Honduras. The Women’s Refugee Commission conducted an extensive fact-finding mission to research and understand this unprecedented influx. Our new report, “Forced from Home: The Lost Boys and Girls of Central America,” explores the rise of violence in Central America that is forcing many children to flee and examines how U.S. government officials are treating these children after they are apprehended. We outline specific steps the U.S. government can take to respond to this emerging crisis.

 WHO: Michelle Brané, Director of Detention and Asylum Program, Women’s Refugee Commission
Jessica Jones, Equal Justice Works Fellow, Detention and Asylum Program, Women’s Refugee Commission

 WHEN: Monday, October 15, 2012
11:00 a.m. Eastern Time

WHERE: Conference Call: (888) 327-8914
Pass code: 9667817

For more information, contact Diana Quick, DianaQ@wrcommission.org, 212.551.3087.

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The Women's Refugee Commission advocates for laws, policies and programs to improve the lives and protect the rights of refugee and internally displaced women, children and young people, including those seeking asylum—bringing about lasting, measurable change.