`` Marta '' was 12 when she came to the U.S. illegally to find her mother . She said that after a few months in detention, she and other children were sent back to Mexico with their parents. 7,211 children entered the U.S. illegally in 2008 by themselves . Expert : As many as 50 percent of those kids went before judges with no lawyer . The advocacy center represented 400 children this year , but Cheryl Little , the center 's executive director , said its chief funder , Florida Children 's Trust , is making severe cutbacks . Watch Marta 's story on CNN 's `` Latino in America , '' tonight at 9 p.m . ET .
`` Marta '' was 12 when she came to the U.S. illegally to find her mother . She said that after a few months in detention, she and other children were sent back to Mexico with their parents. 7,211 children entered the U.S. illegally in 2008 by themselves . Expert : As many as 50 percent of those kids went before judges with no lawyer . Watch Marta 's story on CNN 's `` Latino in America , '' tonight at 9 p.m . ET .