Attorney at the National Center for Youth Law (@NCYLnews), Immigration Team. She/her/ella. Views are my own.
Joined January 2017
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Melissa Adamson retweeted
Many children are appearing in immigration court without attorneys, including children as young as 2.
New @CNN reporting takes us inside a Texas courtroom where children are navigating complex, life-altering immigration proceedings.
cnn.com/2026/09/28/politics/…
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Shameful and horrifically damaging to kids in the care of our country.
My Children’s Safe Welcome Act will stop this from happening—I’m fighting to get it passed.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Completely morally bankrupt: the Trump Administration is forcing children—including a 3-year-old—to represent themselves in immigration court, in clear violation of law and precedent.
Cruelty is the point.
Trauma is the goal.
I’m focused on stopping it.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
NEW: In a Texas courtroom Monday, 25 migrant children lined the pews — a 9yo rested her head on the table, a 6yo pretended to fly an airplane, and a 3yo played with the mic. Many in attendance didn't have an attorney — and a 13yo was ordered removed. A look inside, thru sketches.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Did you know that this week, Congress will vote on whether to give $71 billion in NEW funding for more immigration enforcement and detention?
More money for ICE = more families and children in detention.
Tell your reps to fund care, not cages: tinyurl.com/no2budget
Melissa Adamson retweeted
At my immigration hearing, Marion Donovan-Kaloust detailed her experience working with unaccompanied children and the horrors they’ve seen under Trump.
No child should have to go through this cruelty. It must end now.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
“The average time in custody for unaccompanied children has skyrocketed, from around 37 days to nearly 200 days.”
Neha Desai from the National Center for Youth Law has seen firsthand how the Trump admin has ripped families apart and the harm it has caused.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
I,'m told by detainees at Dilley that 80 pct of facility currently protesting--that would be ~1500. Guards physically blocking ppl from joining. Dozens of ICE CBP police cars racing to area. Detainees say protest triggered by news of events in Minneapolis & treatment of 5 yr old.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Listen to the sound of the ongoing demonstration by detainees over conditions at Dilley. Incredible courage from these families and children. You can tell by the sound of their voices that so many of those shouting "libertad" and "let us go" are children!! #abolishICE
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Scoop: The Trump administration is moving to rapidly deport some migrant children who arrived in the US without a parent or guardian by having federal agents ask teens whether they want to voluntarily depart the country, I'm told. cnn.com/2025/07/23/politics/…
Melissa Adamson retweeted
We are taking the Trump Administration to court for unlawfully terminating the SIJS Deferred Action Policy!
Today, the National Immigration Project, KIND, Public Counsel, Lowenstein Sandler, and Davis Wright Tremaine sued the Trump Administration on behalf of…
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Melissa Adamson retweeted
Breaking: A lawsuit was just filed by @NCYLnews and Democracy Forward challenging ORR policies that have prohibited release of numerous children to their families.
In past 3 months, average custody times for children in ORR grew from 37 days to 112.
apnews.com/article/immigrati…
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, Judge Hannah Dugan, two-year-old V.L.M.
They are not outliers, exceptions, or aberrations. …
What we are witnessing is the Trump administration’s immigration plan in motion.
Today, at Law Dork: lawdork.com/p/the-plan-the-h…
Melissa Adamson retweeted
After having terminated lawyers for unaccompanied children, the government is now making toddlers represent themselves in deportation proceedings.
4-year-old migrant girl, other kids go to court in NYC with no lawyer: 'The cruelty is apparent'
gothamist.com/news/4-year-ol…
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Because of the administration's harmful cuts to legal services funding for kids, immigrant children are left without support and representation. Our own Neha Desai, Managing Director of Children's Rights and Human Dignity, spoke with @CNN's @priscialva: edition.cnn.com/2025/04/17/p…
Melissa Adamson retweeted
We are at a dangerous, dangerous moment in US history, where the President of the United States is threatening to send US citizens to be imprisoned by a foreign ally, and the foreign ally is saying it won't respect an US court orders to release people that it's holding.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
This is a disgusting and a blatantly xenophobic and racist policy change by the Trump Administration. Who even comes up with a policy that makes kids represent themselves in court!!?? Truly awful.
Melissa Adamson retweeted
Unlock critical legal resources for unaccompanied immigrant children! Our newly launched UC Legal Rights Library provides advocates with essential guides on youth rights, from healthcare to prompt release. Explore it at uclegalrightslibrary.org
