Kids in Need of Defense (Orlando Office)
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is a global leader in the protection of unaccompanied refugee and migrant children. Launched in 2008, KIND champions a world in which every child’s rights and well-being are protected throughout their journey to safety. Since 2008, KIND has accepted over 23,000 referrals of children seeking legal representation in their immigration proceedings. KIND has welcomed more than 41,000 attendees to trainings since its founding, cultivating partnerships with over 700 law firms, corporate legal departments, law schools, and bar associations across the country. KIND’s social services program ensures that migrant and refugee children – who have often endured trauma – receive counseling, educational support, medical care, and other comprehensive services. To address the root causes of child migration from Central America and strengthen the protection of unaccompanied children, KIND advocates for policy changes and educates lawmakers, the media, and the broader public on the conditions that drive these children to flee their home countries. KIND supports children returning to their home countries by connecting them to essential support services and sponsors gender-based violence prevention programs in Central America to protect children in countries of origin and transit. KIND is also building upon its expertise in the protection of unaccompanied children to encourage the development of pro bono initiatives across Europe in partnership with European NGOs.
Counties served: |
Brevard, Duval, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, Volusia |
Services Provided
Are immigration legal services provided? |
Yes |
Areas of immigration legal assistance: |
Adjustment of Status, Asylum applications, Employment authorization, Removal hearings, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, T visas, U visas |
Types of immigration legal services provided: |
Filings with USCIS, Representation at Asylum Interviews (Credible Fear Interviews, Reasonable Fear Interviews), Representation before the Immigration Court, Representation before the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA), Federal court appeals |
Non-legal services: |
Referrals to other services, Social services |
Populations served: |
Juveniles |
Languages spoken: |
Spanish |
Access to a commercial interpreting service or language bank: |
Yes |
Nominal fee charged? |
No |
Staffing Information
Number of attorneys on staff: |
3 |
Is organization BIA recognized? |
No |
Number of fully accredited BIA representatives on staff: |
0 |
Number of partially accredited BIA representatives on staff: |
0 |
Number of paralegals/legal workers on staff: |
1 |
Additional Details
Pro Bono opportunities? |
Yes |
Network affiliations: |
Kids In Need of Defense |
Volunteering
Volunteer Coordinator |
|
Other Information |
Licensed attorneys and non-legal volunteers can email or call our office to discuss available volunteer opportunities. Law students can search and apply for available internships on KIND's website. |