The U.S. Census Bureau annual report on Income and Poverty in the United States: 2018 indicated that for the fourth straight year, the official poverty rate in the U.S. fell again from 12.3 percent to 11.8 percent accounting for 38.1 million people including 11.9 million children living in poverty. Economic growth was a key factor
When Congress left with a two-year budget deal for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 it looked like they would be able to finish most of the FY 2020 appropriations in September with perhaps a few weeks of a continuing resolution (CR) to finish up. That possibility crashed last Tuesday shortly after Senate Republican unveiled their
The 2010 census missed more than 10% of all children under age 5 in the U.S. When we miss young children in the census, it has serious consequences for them, their families, their communities and our nation – with many of those consequences lasting for at least 10 years. The U.S. Census Bureau needs adequate
On August 21, 2019 the Administration announces a final new rule that would, in effect, overturn the 1997 Flores settlement. The Flores settlement is just that, a legal agreement settled in 1997 that outlines certain protection for immigrant children while in U.S. custody. Its most well-known provision, recently, prohibits the detention of children for more
The Adoptive Family Portrait Project seeks to inform Members of Congress and their staff about the impact that adoptions have had in many of their constituents' lives, by pairing adoptive families with their Congress member. For the 15th consecutive year, Voice for Adoption (VFA) will work with adoptive families to compose their family story and
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facilities are responsible for the custody and care of unaccompanied alien children (UAC). The Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, Care Provider Facilities Described Challenges Addressing Mental Health Needs of Children in HHS Custody, on the facilities that care for children
Congress left with a two-year budget deal for fiscal years 2020 and 2021 and now they will need to finish the FY 2020 appropriations. The House of Representatives has passed almost all of their 12 appropriations bills while the Senate has not acted on any. Everyone is expecting a continuing resolution (CR) that will fund
On August 9, 2019 a US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit rejected a lower court ruling that sought to strike down the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). On October 4, 2018 a ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, (Brackeen V Zinke), Judge Reed O’Connor, known for his
On August 14, 2019 the Administration published a new final rule to expand the definition of “public charge” as it applies to immigrants legally seeking to enter the United States or adjusting their legal status (green card status). Under the new rule, the Administration will now consider use of health care, housing and nutrition programs
On August 7, 2019 the Administration, through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a raid that resulted in the arrest of 680 people targeted through various plants in Mississippi. The raid is considered the largest in US history. The ICE raid included more than 600 agents and targeted chicken processing plants which have high immigrant