Over approximately the last decade there has been a rising trend of unaccompanied migrant youth arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. This very vulnerable group of individuals under age 18 brave perilous journeys to the United States without parents or guardians in staggering numbers with the hope of a visa and a better life. However, instead they are often apprehended and detained by U.S. immigration officials. Because many believe that holding unaccompanied migrant youth in immigrant detention centers is wrong, advocates have pushed for more appropriate settings and care by making efforts to connect them with guardians and caregivers.

In response to a request by the federal government, CLINIC created a program for legal custodians (parents and guardians) of children in legal immigration proceedings – the Legal Orientation Program for Custodians (LOPC). Starting in 2010, CLINIC-selected nonprofits began using experienced legal immigration representatives to educate custodians on their responsibilities to the children and explain the rights of both custodian and child of their rights in civil and immigration legal matters. The LOPC’s success showed the necessity of providing orientation to custodians in order to ensure care and protection for unaccompanied migrants in legal proceedings and higher approval rates in immigration benefits.

By 2012, LOPC successfully devolved and continues to operate at high proficiency and capacity in cities across the United States.