Suddenly it is June

Where did the month of May go so quickly? It is crazy to think that today marks only two months left of volunteering with AIJustice. With the piles and piles of files, papers, and folders in my office it is difficult to imagine having everything caught up by the end of July!

Beginning several months ago there has been a major influx of minors in the immigration detention facilities here in Miami. We are not entirely sure of the cause of the influx, but it may be related to some changes in the policies of Mexico’s immigration enforcement (the majority of the minors we see come from Central America and must pass through Mexico without being detained and deported by that country’s immigration officials).

The increased numbers of clients these last few months has been accompanied by a never-ending stream of horrific stories of suffering, poverty, fear, and abandonment by so many young people. The looks of dismay in their faces and the many tears shed during our conversations are enough to break a person’s heart. Gang violence has increased in Honduras and El Salvador, leading many to flee in search of a safer life. At the same time, the United States has had difficulty housing the increased numbers of young detainees. Temporary shelters were set up in Texas, and the minors here in Miami have spent several weeks or more in these shelters with very limited bathroom access and crowded sleeping conditions.

The silver lining to the oftentimes depressing stories that I hear each week is that many of these children are eligible for immigration relief through our immigration laws and will therefore have the opportunity to create a new, safer life in this country. J

As the coming weeks bring a close to my two years of service at AIJustice, I am trying my best to take as much out of this experience as possible. Law school begins on August 16^th at the University of Miami. I am excited (and a bit intimidated!) to switch gears and return to school after my time with HMVS. But whatever the challenges of law school, I hope to always keep the perspective I have gained through my work with one of the most disadvantaged populations within our borders—unaccompanied immigrant minors.

--Adam