Project Lifeline introduces “Podcasts from the Edge of Humanity”, a series where we sit down with the folks working around the clock to help immigrant children. We’re going to tell it like it is as we discuss important news and take a deep dive into our guest’s work. We’ll share what they’re seeing on the ground and maybe, just maybe, we’ll untangle the mess that is the U.S. immigration system.  Our guests will reveal how tortured treatment, in the name of national security, has taken us to the very Edge of Humanity, and some would say beyond.

We will share with you the plight of the children – the abused and abandoned who come fleeing every manner of violence to find safety here only to find the doors closed and freedom shuttered. You will hear from those working with and for these children – advocates and care providers – foster families and clergy – doctors and nurses – journalists and artists – writers and activists. You will hear from the tireless fighters working for justice in danger and dirt. And those who have seen the children, separated from their parents and family packed in crowded cages in freezing rooms where they cower sick, dirty and hungry.

Our series begins with a conversation with Peter Schey, president of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law and class counsel for all detained immigrant children in the Flores litigation. Hosts, Hope Frye, executive director of Project Lifeline, and Chapman Noam, Legal Program Coordinator, will talk to Peter about the Flores Settlement, which sets the standards of care for and release of immigrant minors in government custody. We will also discuss the Trump administration’s treatment of immigrant children during the COVID pandemic and CHRCL’s recent challenge to the continued holding of children in custody during the pandemic.

Upcoming guests include:

  • Peter Schey – Executive Director of the Center for Human Rights and Constitutional Law.
  • Bridget Cambria and Jacquelyn Kline – Attorneys for Aldea, the People’s Justice Center, who represent immigrant women and children detained at the Berks family detention center.
  • Shaylyn Fluharty – Director of Proyecto Dilley, which represents immigrant women and children detained at the Dilley family detention center.
  • Amy Maldonado and Bashir Ghazialam – Attorneys litigating COVID release cases for numerous children and parents.
  • Emily Green – a Mexico based journalist covering Mexico and Central America whose story “Take the Long Way Home” was on NPR’s This American Life episode that won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for audio reporting, the first ever given for audio journalism.