A large number of the Immigrant Rights Defense Center non-detained cases are minors who entered the country as unaccompanied immigrant children between the ages of 0-18.

Latino Memphis is part of the National Family Reunification Support Network (NFRSN) program by Heartland Alliance in Chicago, Illinois designed to give services to unaccompanied minors and their families.

How the program works

This program assesses the appropriateness of placements and provides short term case management and support when the unaccompanied minor is released from the Office of Refugee Resettlement custody to an approved government sponsor. The family is connected to services in education, mental health screening and therapy, medical care, and some legal services, enabling participants to transition to life in the U.S. as easily as possible.

Though Latino Memphis' Home Study and Post Release Services worker only work with clients who are referred directly from Heartland Alliance those who are unaccompanied minors or sponsors in search of help can call the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) hotline 1800-203-7001 to obtain information and support. Additionally, El Centro can provide medical, education, and legal referrals for minors and their families.