Declarations of Detainees

These declarations are an important tool to monitor the treatment of minors, provide detained children a voice and inform the public of the plight of unaccompanied minors.

If you are an attorney or law student and would be willing to visit facilities housing children in your area, please fill out and submit an interest form.

Declarations from Around the Nation

The following declarations were taken from detention facilities around the nation through site visits permitted under Flores v. Meese. These decalrations provide a first hand look at the daily struggles of unaccompanied minors. All names and identifying information have been removed.

Declaration from a young girl at a California Hotel, September 2003

"The judge said I should not be isolated. Sometimes I get desperate because I have been there (a hotel) two weeks and am all alone."

Declaration from a young boy at a California Hotel, September 2003

"The only time I've been let out of my room (in two weeks) only once since being taken to the hotel"

Declaration from an Arizona Adult Holding Facility, May 2003

"We are all alone in our cells. There is nothing to do except watch television. I have no books, paper, or pencils. I do not go to school. I get one hour of recreation per day."

Declaration from a California Juvenile Detention Center, December 2002

"Once I raised my voice to an official, and I spent four days locked in my room. I was only let out to eat and bathe. At this point I felt very desparate and depressed. I was going to cut my veins just to get someone's attention."

Declaration from a California Juvenile Detention Center, July 2002

"Whenever I try to complain to a staff member, they don’t listen because I don’t speak English."

Declaration from Texas Juvenile Detention Center, July 2002

"I often eat and have recreation with non-INS delinquent kids in this facility. I don’t get any schooling here. I spend most of my time confined to my room."