Thread by @reveal

1/ NEW: Children’s chances for asylum are slimmer than ever, thanks to a series of recent policy changes under the Trump administration.

Many of the changes happened quietly over the last 18 months.

Let's break them down:

revealnews.org/article/before…

2/ The Trump administration has begun collecting data on adult sponsors and other adults in the household of children awaiting decisions.

This can discourage adults already in the U.S. from coming forward to help the child, leaving the child waiting in detention for months.

3/ Trump has allowed immigration judges to revoke the “unaccompanied” designation from children once placed w/ an adult.

This means children lose certain rights that give them extra time to make their claims.

4/ The administration is requiring DHS lawyers to oppose any delays in deportation proceedings.

Previously, state courts and federal agencies were given time to find safe housing for children while they determined the risk of returning them to their home country.

5/ The DOJ is making it easier for judges to discount the validity of children’s testimony about the dangers they face.

Critics say this contradicts court rules saying judges are supposed to take into account age and that the child may be acting without a lawyer.

6/ The administration failed to renew a program that provided legal help to unaccompanied children.

That's despite a report showing that the program helped courts run more smoothly.

assets.documentcloud.org/documents/4502…

7/ We're closely following family separation and, more broadly, how immigration policies affect children.

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