AFCARS Model Comment Available

As a reminder, comments for the ICWA AFCARS are due April 23. The Indian Law Clinic has developed a model comment for tribes to edit and use if they so wish. For a copy of the comment, please contact Cody Fowler, who has done the heavy lifting on this work, is an MSU grad and is helping out the Clinic for a few weeks! He can be contacted at:

fowler48@msu.edu

The proposed rule is here, as well as the link to submit comments:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/23/2024-03373/adoption-and-foster-care-analysis-and-reporting-system

As a reminder, this is a proposed rule to require nationwide data collection about ICWA children in foster care. We have never had nationwide data on ICWA cases, despite nearly ten years of active litigation to try to get the 2016 rule back, and many years of activism before that to get the 2016 rule.

Motion for Summary Judgment and Amicus Briefs in AFCARS Lawsuit [foster care and adoption data for AI/AN and LGBTQ+ kids]

Final_Motion for Summary Judgment  

Plaintiffs have standing to bring this case. Plaintiffs here include the largest federally recognized tribes in California and in the United States, a coalition of dozens of tribes located in California, a foster youth and foster care alumni organization in Alaska, and three organizations from around the country that work with LGBTQ+ foster youth and/or youth who have experienced sex or labor trafficking. Each of these Plaintiffs works to improve the living conditions of youth in child welfare systems and to reduce the chance they will end up homeless, incarcerated, or otherwise severely harmed while in care. The data that Defendants have abandoned are irreplaceable for the efficacy of these efforts. The 2020 Final Rule substantially impedes Plaintiffs’ ability to pursue their missions. It makes it harder for tribes to vindicate their and their children’s rights and to protect their children’s well-being. Likewise, the rule makes it more difficult for groups serving youth in care, including LGBTQ+ youth, to address the overrepresentation of those youth in the foster care population and to prevent their disproportionately negative experiences. The 2020 Final Rule thus injures Plaintiffs—along with the vulnerable children they serve. 

ProposedOrder

Exhibits:

App.A

App.B

App.C

App.D

App.E

App.F

American Academy of Pediatrics_Amicus_Brief

AAP_Amicus_Motion

Members Of Congress_Amicus_Brief

MOC_Amicus_Motion

The MSU Indian Law Clinic represents the plaintiffs in this case along with our excellent partners, Democracy Forward and Lambda Legal.

Newsy Video on ICWA and AFCARS

Here