The videos were posted in response to assertions by a Justice Department official that 3- and 4-year-olds can represent themselves in immigration court.
Watch this young girl get asked to designate her country of removal.
This 3-year-old has a special message for the judge.
Earlier this month, Jack H. Weil, an immigration judge responsible for training other judges, said in a deposition that 3- and 4-year-olds are capable of representing themselves.
Via youtube.com
"I've taught immigration law literally to 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds," Weil said. "It takes a lot of time. It takes a lot of patience. They get it. It's not the most efficient, but it can be done."
His statements angered immigrant advocates and pro-bono attorneys who work with the migrant children, leading some to post videos of them being asked questions they would typically face in court proceedings.
Texas-based attorney Amy Maldonado, who could not immediately be reached Friday, has been collecting some of the videos and posting them on her YouTube channel.
Weil's sworn testimony was first reported by the Washington Post.
He was chosen by the Justice Department to serve as a spokesman on government safeguards to protect children appearing in immigration court.
Weil repeated his claim, saying, "I've told you I have trained 3-year-olds and 4-year-olds in immigration law," according to the transcript. "You can do a fair hearing. It's going to take you a lot of time."
In an email to the Post, Weil said his statements don't "present an accurate assessment of my views on this topic" and were being "taken out of context."
Immigration courts have been inundated since 2014 following a surge of Central American immigrants showing up at the U.S. border as they attempt to escape violence and poverty.
from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/1pdwqb1
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