The nation far outpaces other countries in detaining and criminalizing young people. Involvement in the youth justice system is well-established to have lasting negative effects on youth. Children and communities are better off when children are not locked up.

Child welfare systems perpetuate the oppression of Black, Indigenous, and other children and families of color through traumatic surveillance, investigation, and removal practices. The failure of the U.S. to dismantle racist systems and revoke laws that lead to family separation is an urgent civil and human rights issue.

There is a long pattern of human rights violations against immigrant children detained by the US government. America has a legal and moral obligation to provide children in its custody with shelter, food, recreation, education, and medical care, and to reunite them with their families.

Children are too often harmed by US child welfare, juvenile justice, education, and healthcare systems. Through strategic advocacy and legal action, Children’s Rights holds these systems accountable for the well-being of the children in their care.

Government systems are separating children from their families and placing children in institutions and other group facilities in violation of their civil and human rights. Children’s Rights is a leader in a movement to raise public awareness of the harm done to young people and end this practice.

Government systems are denying children equitable access to basic health care in violation of their civil and human rights. Children’s Rights is working to transform systems and break down the barriers to timely and adequate physical and mental health services for children.