94%
of CFR’s clients are people of color, who experience more surveillance and higher rates of family separation.
Families belong together
We defend the rights of families in New York City, connect them to community resources, and advocate for policies that reduce harm to Black and Brown families.
Our Services
Our free legal representation and social work services support more than 3,000 families in the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island each year.
Family Defense
We provide the highest quality legal and social work services to parents facing an Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) investigation or prosecution to help keep their family together.
What to Know if ACS Contacts You
Being contacted by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) can be frightening and overwhelming, but you have rights, and you don't have to navigate the process alone. CFR's Know Your Rights guide explains what to expect, how to protect yourself and your family, and where to turn for free legal help.
Learn More
A Nationally Recognized Model for Public Defense
Our groundbreaking model pairs each client with an attorney and a social worker, with support from a parent advocate who has been through the system themselves.
The family policing system tears Black and Brown families apart.
Decades of data and the powerful stories of our clients show that Black and Brown families are continually targeted by the “child welfare” system, or what we call the family policing system.
Our Impact
1
/
5
CFR: Over Two Decades of Keeping Families Together
Within this building are people who fight for families every single day and make sure that their voices are heard. -Teyora Graves-Ferrell, CFR Parent Advocate Director Watch Our Impact Video
Aminullah's Story
The entire CFR staff treated me like family and did so much for me. With CFR's help, I got back on my feet and regained my hope...thank you CFR for your assistance! Watch Aminullah's Story
Genesis' Story
I want to express my gratitude to the organization for believing in me, for their effort, for their support, for fighting for my rights, and for allowing me to be with my family, united and well. Watch Genesis' Story
Juan's Story
I didn't have the resources for someone to defend me, they wouldn't let me see my wife or children, I had no idea what I was going to face... I would like to thank the CFR team for welcoming me and guiding me through this process. Watch Juan's Story
Jasmine's Story
I was separated from my children for five years. [CFR] helped me get my children back. I'm forever grateful for that. Watch Jasmine's Story
Featured News
Op-Ed: Immigration bureaucracy keeps children from their parents
In this powerful op-ed for the New York Daily News, Zoe Schonfeld, CFR’s Attorney-in-Charge of Immigration, shares one family’s fight against detention and separation.
Read More
These Kids Trekked Hundreds of Miles to Reunite With Their Parents. The Feds Kept Them Separated for Months.
Zoe Schonfeld, CFR’s Attorney-in-Charge of Immigration, spoke with New York Focus about the impact of reunification delays on immigrant families.
Read More
Migrant children are being detained longer, fewer in NYC are being released under Trump
Migrant children crossing the U.S. border alone are now being held in federal custody nearly 4x longer under the Trump administration, according to a Gothamist analysis. Learn more in the full article featuring members of CFR's immigration team.
Read More
Get Involved with CFR
Support our mission by donating your time through pro bono work, participating in one of our professional trainings, or attending a fundraising or community event.
Support Our Work
Your donation helps us expand our services and support while we continue to defend thousands of Black and Brown families in New York City targeted by the family policing system.