An April 2012 First Focus analysis by Brookings Institution scholar Julia Isaacs finds that one-in-ten children has been or is at risk to be affected by foreclosures, putting their health, development, and academic potential at risk. This companion paper recommends specific actions Congress and the Administration can take to help families avoid foreclosure, find quality, affordable homes quickly when foreclosures happen, and deliver the help children need to blunt the harms resulting from foreclosure.

Our ad recognizing Members of Congress who earned recognition as Champions for Children or Defenders of Children in 2011 ran in Capitol Hill newspapers on February 14, 2012. Learn more about our 2011 Champions for Children.

It’s hard to believe we’re here again.

Apparently, the inhumane treatment enforced by the Department of Homeland Security under departing Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen was not inhumane enough for the Trump Administration, which reportedly is once again considering family separation as a policy option. The so-called “binary option” would force families seeking legal asylum in this country to waive fundamental Flores Settlement protections, clearing the way for the government to warehouse them in unlicensed detention facilities or to force them to turn their children over to the federal government. This is a false choice as both options would cause immense harm to children.

“We call on the President to guarantee that any new secretary — whether acting or confirmed — shall first Do No Harm to children, whether it’s by separating them from their parents or by detaining them,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the advocacy group First Focus Campaign for Children. “The Administration must stop using children as pawns in pursuit of a policy to waylay asylum-seeking families and must only act in the best interest of the child. This cruel and abhorrent strategy violates basic human rights and is not the way a great nation treats children.”

The Administration only recently revealed that it will take two years to reunite the families it broke apart during previous separations under the horrific “zero tolerance” policy. Those separations drew international attention for prying babies from their mother’s arms before deportation and have been deemed “government-sanctioned child abuse” by the American Academy of Pediatrics. They should never be repeated.

In addition, we urge President Trump to abandon calls to eliminate the crucial protections for children offered by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 and the Flores Settlement Agreement. These protections are not “loopholes,” as administration officials have called them. Without them, children will suffer horrific prison-like conditions and risk being returned to the dangerous situations from which they fled.

Washington — Today, the First Focus Campaign for Children, a national, bipartisan child advocacy group, recognized 100 Members of Congress for their leadership on issues important to children during 2011.

“Lots of politicians talk about kids’ issues, but few back it up,” said Bruce Lesley, president of the Campaign for Children. Champions and Defenders delivered for kids in 2011.”

Among the honorees, 50 Members were named “Champions for Children,” for their extraordinary efforts to protect and improve the future of America’s next generation. An additional 50 Members were recognized as “Defenders of Children” for their support of policies that advance the well-being of children. The 2011 Champions and Defenders are:

2011 Champions for Children

Senate

Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK)
Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME)
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD)
Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT)
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH)
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL)
Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA)
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)
Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-ME)
Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA)
Sen. Al Franken (D-MN)
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV)
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)

House

Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA)
Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA)
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
Rep. Danny Davis (D-IL)
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-PA)
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)
Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA)
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)
Rep. Robert Scott (D-VA)
Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA)
Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL)
Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC)
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT)
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX)
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN)
Rep. George Miller (D-CA)
Rep. Todd Platts (D-PA)
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA)
Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA)
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA)
Rep. Judy Biggert (R-IL)
Rep. Donna Christensen (D-VI)
Rep. John Conyers (D-MI)
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN)
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Rep. Peter King (R-NY)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA)
Rep. Donald Payne (D-NJ)
Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL)
Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-OH)

2011 Defenders of Children

Senate

Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY)
Sen. Mary Landreiu (D-LA)
Sen. Harry Reid (D-NV)
Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM)
Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)
Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA)
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY)
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT)
Sen. Thad Chochran (R-MS)
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA)
Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI)
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)

House

Rep. Shelley Berkley (D-NV)
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-CA)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-IL)
Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)
Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ)
Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)
Rep. Donald Manzullo (R-IL)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL)
Rep. Jose Seranno (D-NY)
Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY)
Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA)
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX)
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH)
Rep. Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX)
Rep. Michael Honda (D-CA)
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY)
Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA)
Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
Rep. Steven Rothman (D-NJ)
Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ)
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA)
Rep. Robert Brady (D-PA)
Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY)
Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-MO)
Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-PA)
Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI)
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-WI)
Rep. Dave Reichert (R-WA)
Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA)
Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA)

In selecting Champions and Defenders, the First Focus Campaign for Children noted leaders who introduced, co-sponsored, and voted for legislation to meet children’s needs. In addition, the organization considered Members who demonstrated extraordinary initiative by spearheading activities such as sponsoring hearings or garnering the support of their colleagues to improve the health and well-being of children.

This is the Campaign for Children’s second annual class of Champions for Children. The 2012 Champions for Children will be announced in the fall of 2012.

For a complete list of 2011 Champions and Defenders and more information, visit www.ffcampaignforchildren.org.

# # #

This ad ran in the February 3, 2012, edition of POLITICO. It spotlights an effort by some politicians to raise taxes on children, even as child poverty is at a twenty-year high. To learn more about this threat to the Child Tax Credit and our work to protect kids, read the accompanying fact sheet.

Washington – Leading voices for children, working families, Latinos, and immigrants united today, urging Congress to reject a proposal that would deny 5.5 million children the Child Tax Credit.

The proposal, offered as a fiscal offset by U.S. House of Representatives negotiators on the payroll tax holiday extension bill, would deny the Child Tax Credit to children whose parents file federal income tax returns using an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). If enacted, it would deny the credit to more than 5.5 million children, four-out-of-five (4.5 million) of whom are U.S. citizen children.

“It is sad that our nation has arrived at the point where we are considering sacrificing the well-being of poor and vulnerable children to pay for our tax breaks,” stated Kevin Appleby, Director of Migration and Public Affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

One-in-five children in America (22%) lives in poverty, according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau data – a 20-year high. But poverty is much higher among Latino children: one-in-three Latino children (37%) is poor. Approximately 80 percent of families that would be affected are Latino.

“The elimination of the Child Tax Credit for ITIN filers punishes the most vulnerable segments of our community at the worst possible time,” said Gustavo Torres, Executive Director of CASA de Maryland “Given the economic recession has disproportionately impacted the employment sectors traditionally relied upon by the Latino and immigrant community, this could have a devastating blow on hard-working immigrant families struggling to make it through another month of expenses.”

The Child Tax Credit has proven effective in protecting children from poverty. In 2009, the Child Tax Credit kept the families of more than 1.3 million children above the poverty line. The credit is particularly important for the children of ITIN filers, as their average family income of $21,000 is already below the poverty line (about $22,300) for a family of four. The average child affected by this proposal would lose an estimated $1,800 in family income – more than enough to cover a month’s rent or several months of groceries.

“As a nation we must invest in our children to enjoy future prosperity. Unfortunately, current Congressional attempts threaten to undercut these important investments. We urge Congress to stand up for our children and reject any attempt to strip $1,800 from the pockets of working families at a time when every penny counts,” affirmed Marielena Hincapié, Executive Director of the National Immigration Law Center.

Advocates for America’s Latinos also observe that the proposal comes at a critical moment, as candidates of both parties seek to win the support of Latino voters. The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) reported in 2010 that there were 20 million eligible Latino voters in America and that voter turnout in the 2008 presidential election increased at twice the rate of increase among Blacks and more than 50-times the rate of increase among Whites.

“We are outraged that this proposal is even on the table,” said Eric Rodriguez, NCLR Vice President. “Latino voters are paying close attention to how policymakers treat our community. Given that one out of every four Latino children would face greater hunger and poverty as a result of this proposal, it is hard to see it as anything less than an attack on our children. Congress should pass a fair tax package that maintains access to the Child Tax Credit for vulnerable families.”

Congress has numerous alternatives to offset the budgetary impact of extending the payroll tax holiday. For example, requiring millionaires to pay just 0.2% more in federal income taxes would generate the same offset as denying the Child Tax Credit to 5.5 million children.

“The bottom line for children’s advocates is that it’s wrong to target any child, especially when child poverty’s already at the highest level in a generation. This proposal targets millions of the most vulnerable children in America and threatens to drive child poverty even higher,” stated Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children. “And our message to members of Congress: find a smarter solution, and don’t cut kids.”

While most tax filers use a Social Security Number (SSNs), millions of filers use ITINs because they are ineligible for SSNs. Immigrants and nonimmigrant visitors – those admitted through normal channels and those present without documentation – may use ITINs to pay federal income taxes. President George W. Bush’s U.S. Internal Revenue Service Commissioner testified to Congress that undocumented immigrants paid nearly $50 billion in federal income taxes using ITINs, during an eight-year period ending in 2003. The American Immigration Council reports that ITIN filers’ paid more than $9 billion in payroll taxes (which fund Social Security and Medicaid systems for which undocumented immigrants are ineligible) during 2010.

# # #

The First Focus Campaign for Children is a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization affiliated with First Focus, a bipartisan children’s advocacy organization. The Campaign for Children advocates directly for legislative change in Congress to ensure children and families are a priority in federal policy and budget decisions. For more information, visit www.ffcampaignforchildren.org.

The bipartisan Child Tax Credit was designed to help families manage the costs of raising children and make it easier for them to meet basic needs. A proposal advancing in the House of Representatives could undermine the CTC and raise taxes on the families of more than 4.5 million U.S. citizen children.

Related Resources

• Our Ad in POLITICO
• Child advocates letter urging members of Congress to reject the CTC cut

Washington – Senior negotiators in the U.S. House of Representatives released a proposal Friday to offset the fiscal impact of a payroll tax holiday extension by cutting federal commitments to Medicaid, lowering federal non-defense domestic discretionary funding caps, and requiring that federal income tax returns claiming the refundable the Child Tax Credit (CTC) include the filer’s Social Security number. The CTC provision would weaken the economic stability of immigrant families that include up to 4.5 million U.S. citizen children. Tighter budget caps could affect kids’ initiatives ranging from educational support for children with disabilities to shelter and care for homeless kids. And cuts in Medicaid payment rates for hospitals – including children’s hospitals – simply shift the costs of needed care to families and small businesses. In response, First Focus Campaign for Children President Bruce Lesley released the following statement:

“With child poverty way up, Congress should be making it easier for parents to meet their children’s basic needs, not tying their hands with more red tape. Lawmakers shouldn't cast a vote for this proposal until they understand exactly how it will affect the children they serve.”

# # #

First Focus Campaign for Children submitted this statement for the record regarding the September 2011 United States House Committee on Ways and Means, Subcommittee on Human Resources Hearing, entitled "Improving Work and Other Welfare Reform Goals.”

Child Advocates call on Congress to Address Economic Issues around Jobs, Child Poverty, Hunger, and Homelessness

Washington D.C. – Today, as Congressional leaders and White House officials race to pass legislation to avoid a default on the national debt, the First Focus Campaign for Children reacts to the bipartisan compromise reached last night, specifying what the deal means for America’s children.

While the details of the spending cuts outlined in the proposal remain unclear, whether through Congressional spending caps, the newly created Super Committee, or via sequestration mechanisms, the agreement would impose $1.2 trillion in cuts on discretionary spending over the next decade. That could translate to wide-ranging cuts affecting essential children’s programs, primarily education and housing programs. In fact, children’s programs represent about 20 percent of the non-defense discretionary spending in the federal budget.

The agreement also calls for another $1.5 trillion in budget cuts from a newly created Super Committee, with a backup trigger, or sequestration of funding, from federal programs to reach the reduction target in the case that the Super Committee or the Congress fails to make the cuts themselves. Essential programs, such as Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) would be subjected to cuts in negotiations, but fortunately would be exempt from the sequestration. Yet, other critically important children’s programs will be left all the more vulnerable.

Bruce Lesley, President of the First Focus Campaign for Children, a bipartisan child advocacy organization, issued the following statement:

“While we commend our nation’s leaders for their commitment to protect Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program from being subjected to sequestration or automatic cuts in the debt ceiling agreement, we fear the proposed $1.2 billion in spending cuts to discretionary programs will disproportionately impact children, and the additional $1.5 billion in budget cuts to be considered by the Super Committee could impose harm to Medicaid and CHIP. While tough times may call for tough measures, reducing spending for essential programs for children is misguided and will drastically affect the ability of a generation of children to reach their full potential.

“Moreover, the American electorate strongly agrees with this concern. Results from a recent public opinion survey prove that protecting programs that improve the well-being of children is immensely important to voters. When provided a battery of potential cuts some have considered in the budget debate, voters clearly protect children. In fact, the least popular cuts were those to K-12 education programs.

“As the President and Congressional leaders continue their negotiations to stem the debt ceiling crisis, we urge them heed the priorities of the American public and refuse reductions on the backs of children.

“In addition, we are deeply concerned that the process agreed upon in last night creates an agenda for Congress that will once again require this conversation around the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills, the newly created Super Committee process, potential congressional votes on recommendations by the Super Committee, and potential sequestration processes.

“Instead of this non-stop focus on budget cuts, our nation must make jobs and the economy our top priority. We know that a growing economy would reduce the federal deficit faster than the austerity measures being discussed. We also know that the most effective way to reduce federal spending on programs like Medicaid and SNAP is to reduce poverty in America. And yet, the crisis of child poverty, homelessness, education, and economic opportunity is completely ignored in our nation’s federal policy discussions, despite the fact that more than one in four American children are living in poverty, one in four is dependent on food stamps, and 1.3 million students drop out of school every year.

“No child in this country should go to bed suffering from the pangs of hunger or wondering where they’ll find a bed to sleep in tonight. We urge Congress to begin the critically important conversation about the economic crisis that includes jobs, child poverty, hunger, and homelessness.”

# # #

The United States Senate is considering the Reid Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act based on the Tax Compromise announced by President Obama on December 6. This fact sheet outlines the provisions that will help children and working families, including the extension of Unemployment Insurance, expansions of the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and a payroll tax cut.