Pacifica attorneys Emma Daniels, Rachel Simon, and Miguel Villaseñor are responding to the Trump Administration’s policy of aggressive immigration enforcement by aiding those most-vulnerable—unaccompanied and separated children.
When the Trump Administration canceled federal funding in March to legal aid organizations that support immigrant children, it left tens of thousands of kids without legal representation. One of the impacted organizations was the international NGO Kids in Need of Defense (KIND). Its Seattle field office was in danger of closing, and it had to lay off attorneys and staff. Seattle University School of Law called on its alumni network to respond to the crisis by partnering with current Seattle U law students to form pro bono legal teams to work with KIND to represent youth left without counsel.
Emma, Miguel, and Rachel—all Seattle University School of Law alums—stepped up to work with Seattle U and KIND, whose Seattle field office remains open in-part through support from local partners, such as Seattle U, and pro bono attorneys. Over the summer, Emma, Miguel, and Rachel partnered with the law students to assist minors with asylum applications. Now, they continue to work with KIND to support their clients as they proceed with the asylum process, renew work permits, and address other immigration-related matters. They are also keeping their clients informed about new developments with immigration enforcement, and making sure they have the resources they need to understand their constitutional rights.
For Miguel, working with children who would otherwise be without representation means helping ensure others have the same opportunities he did. “It is our duty as lawyers to serve the public interest and protect our communities,” he says. “As a member of one of the targeted communities, it is my pleasure to protect and help the next generation live a life that I was able to live, and not a life of fear.”
Emma sees the work as part of a wider effort to protect the rule of law and access to justice. “In a time where things too often feel out of control or hopeless, using our resources to shield and support vulnerable community members, especially kids navigating a foreign country without the safety net of their parents, becomes more important than ever.”
Rachel says she was inspired by the chance to put her legal skills to use to support vulnerable youth “at a time when many in this country are turning their backs on immigrants who have long been a part of the fabric of our society. I was also excited about the opportunity to work with and mentor current law students to demonstrate the importance of using the privilege of a law degree to serve the community. My client’s resiliency is commendable, and I am glad that I can help her pursue safety.”
For more information about becoming a KIND Pro Bono Attorney, please visit the organization’s website: https://supportkind.org/get-involved/pro-bono-attorney-program/
