Blog
Find our latest articles, reports, and weekly editions at Children's Defense Fund.
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Immigration
I ❤️ My Immigrant Family
America is a nation of values, founded on the ideal that we are all created equal. These values—freedom, equality, and opportunity—are strengthened by our immigrant family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. We love them, we’re glad they’re here, and we recognize that in order for children and this nation to flourish and prosper, we must commit to policies that reflect that 1 in 4 children in the U.S. live with at least one immigrant parent or are immigrants themselves.
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Youth Justice
We Must Put an End to the Racist and Counteractive Practice of Juvenile Fees and Fines
Juvenile fees and fines are not rehabilitative – instead, they increase recidivism and destabilize families, criminalize poverty, and heighten existing racial disparities within the juvenile and adult criminal justice systems. It's time we move beyond reforming broken policies and put an end to these harmful practices altogether.
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Child Poverty
The Child Tax Credit Will Not Reach Every Child Until Congress Simplifies Complicated Tax Rules
The current expanded CTC still leaves out hundreds of thousands of children due to arcane rules built into the tax code, collectively known as the “child-claiming” rules. It is time for Congress to rewrite the child-claiming rules to ensure the CTC follows each child, no matter their household composition, family structure, or where they live.
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Child Poverty
Monthly Payments for Families with Children are Coming, Guaranteed Income Pilots Can Tell Us What to Expect
Unconditional, generous, and broad cash helps the lives of families and children and the Stockton experiment should be a guide as we study the effects of the expanded CTC and work to build this expansion into a permanent, universal child allowance. The work is far from over, but in July, when families begin to receive their first checks, the power of unconditional cash will be felt across the country.
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Education
Trans Students Deserve Safe and Supportive Schools
Students deserve safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environments and access to equitable educational opportunities, including extracurricular activities like athletics. State and local leaders must reject attacks on trans students and enact policies that protect trans students from discrimination.
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Featured Blog Series
For Our Children
From the desk of President and CEO Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson, discover a new take on child well-being and advocacy. Read to learn more about shaping conversations, policies, and actions for improving the lives of our nation's children and youth.
Learn More