Advokato exists to ensure that no child faces immigration court alone.
Every year, children arrive in the United States without a parent or legal guardian. Many are fleeing violence, abuse, or exploitation. Instead of protection, they are placed into a complex legal system and ordered to appear in immigration court, often within weeks of arrival.
In that courtroom, there is no public defender.
There is no automatic right to a lawyer.
Without representation, children are expected to defend themselves against trained government prosecutors, in a language they may not speak, about laws they cannot understand.
Advokato was created to change that.
What We Believe
We believe that due process is not optional, especially for children.
We believe that age, language, and trauma should never determine whether someone receives justice.
We believe that when a child stands alone in court, the system has already failed, and it is our responsibility to intervene.
What We Do
Advokato provides comprehensive legal services to unaccompanied children in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) in Bexar County, Texas.
Our work includes:
- Know Your Rights presentations inside shelters and foster care programs
- Coordination and support of pro bono attorneys
- Direct legal representation for children who would otherwise go unrepresented
We serve every unaccompanied child in ORR custody in our county, without discrimination and without regard to ability to pay.
Why This Matters
Legal representation is the single most important factor in determining whether a child can remain safely in the United States.
With a lawyer, children are far more likely to:
- Understand their rights
- Appear for court hearings
- Present valid claims for humanitarian protection
- Avoid wrongful deportation
Without one, children face overwhelming odds and irreversible consequences.
Our Approach
We meet children where they are, both physically and emotionally.
Our attorneys are trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and deeply experienced in immigration law. We work inside shelters, foster placements, and courtrooms, ensuring continuity of care from the moment a child enters the system until their case is resolved.
We collaborate with social workers, caregivers, and service providers to support the whole child, not just the case file.
Why Donors Are Essential
Unaccompanied children do not have the means to hire lawyers.
The legal system does not provide one for them.
Every service we provide depends on donor support.
Philanthropic funding makes it possible for us to:
- Be present inside shelters
- Train and support volunteer attorneys
- Take on complex and urgent cases
- Ensure no child is left without representation
When you support Advokato, you are not funding bureaucracy. You are funding presence, protection, and advocacy where they are needed most.
Our Commitment
We are committed to standing beside children until their voices are heard and their futures are secured.
We do not believe that justice should depend on luck.
We do not believe children should face court alone.
That belief is our mission.