The Illinois Task Force on Unaccompanied Immigrant Children

The Illinois Task Force on Unaccompanied Children is comprised of policymakers, government officials, academics, representatives of community-based organizations and a cross-section of Chicago’s legal community, including attorneys at major law firms, representatives from the Chicago Bar Association, and others who work in the field of juvenile and immigration law. Co-chaired by the CBF and the National Immigrant Justice Center, the Task Force also includes representatives from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, the Illinois Department of Human Services, the Cook County Office of the Public Guardian, the Cook County State’s Attorney, Heartland Alliance, and many others.

The Task Force was formed in 1999 to bring together people to address the complex and unique challenges this vulnerable population faces in our immigration system. The Task Force advocates for necessary policy reforms at the local and national level. In addition, the Task Force recruits pro bono attorneys to represent children, helped launch a groundbreaking pilot project to provide trained child advocates for these minors, and works with the courts, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders to address systemic barriers so that these children are protected.