Unaccompanied Children

In recent years, the number of unaccompanied children arriving at the U.S. southern border has reached record levels, placing immense pressure on the systems designed to support them. These children, often fleeing violence and poverty, are initially taken into custody by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), where they receive temporary care. However, once released to family sponsors in communities like Nebraska, many face significant challenges as they adjust to their new lives without the ongoing federal support provided to other resettled refugee groups.

CIRA’s Unaccompanied Children program was established to bridge this gap, offering essential legal representation and social work to ensure these vulnerable children can thrive. As Nebraska’s sole provider of post-release services, CIRA partners with Acacia Center for Justice, the federal government’s contractor for providing immigration legal services to children in custody. This partnership allows CIRA to connect with children arriving in Nebraska, offering a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that integrates legal assistance with social work support.

Our program includes a dedicated team of attorneys, social workers, and support staff who work collaboratively to address the complex needs of children in these circumstances. From legal representation and school enrollment to mental health services and housing support, CIRA’s holistic model ensures that children and their family sponsors have access to the resources necessary for successful integration into the community.

As demand for these services continues to grow, we remain committed to expanding our capacity to support every child placed in Nebraska through this process, ensuring they have the best possible chance to build a stable and fulfilling life in the U.S.