Updated constraints

.vscode/settings.json

@@ -122,5 +122,6 @@
       "source.fixAll.ruff": "explicit",
       "source.organizeImports.ruff": "explicit"
     }
-  }
+  },
+  "cSpell.words": ["Amro", "Azza", "Banu", "Elshikh", "Gennadii", "Shahroz"]
 }

0_domain_study/README.md

@@ -1 +1,135 @@
-# Domain Research
+# Domain Study: Immigration Law & Juvenile Justice Systems (United States)
+
+## Research Process Overview
+
+Our team followed a **divergent → convergent** workflow:
+
+1. **Divergent phase** –
+mapped multiple domains (education, climate, health, immigration).  
+2. **Background scanning** –
+collected key papers, the EOIR dataset, NGO reports, and recent news.  
+3. **FRESCO scoring** –
+ranked each draft question on
+Feasibility, Relevance, Ethics, Specificity, Complexity, and Originality.  
+4. **Convergent phase** –
+immigration & juvenile justice emerged as the top-scoring domain
+(see full notes →
+[Google Doc](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wo8sHQ3FvOEXaQ5oRqN3xzSI-P6H3Mz-ySBnWYSa9dc/edit?usp=sharing)
+).
+5. **Focus refinement** –
+narrowed scope to *access to counsel* and *case outcomes* for immigrant juveniles.
+
+This process culminated in the research question below.
+
+## Problem Statement
+> <!-- One concise paragraph describing the real-world problems as you 
+> (or someone you know) experienced it.  
+> Explain who is affected and why it matters. -->
+Immigrant juveniles navigating the U.S. immigration system face significant
+and growing barriers, especially due to recent policy changes that
+restrict access to legal representation and critical support services. Without
+proper legal aid, court interpreters, or guidance, many children — often appearing
+in court alone — are unable to effectively advocate for their protection and fair
+treatment. This vulnerability is compounded by longer detention times, increased
+court backlogs, and language barriers, all of which severely impact their
+chances of securing safety and reunification. As displaced students and
+community members familiar with these struggles, we recognize that these
+systemic gaps disproportionately harm immigrant children, placing thousands at
+risk of deportation and trauma. This project aims to shed light on these
+challenges and advocate for urgent reforms to ensure equitable legal protection
+for immigrant youth.
+
+## Background Review
+
+Immigrant juveniles in the U.S. face growing challenges
+due to stricter immigration policies, especially under the Trump administration.
+New rules make it harder for children in ORR custody to reunite with family
+by imposing tough sponsor requirements like DNA tests and proof of income.
+Legal aid funding cuts leave many children to face immigration courts alone,
+reducing their chances of staying in the country. Increased involvement
+of immigration enforcement in child welfare discourages families
+from sponsoring these children. Together, these policies create
+systemic barriers that prolong detention and increase the risk of deportation
+for vulnerable immigrant youths.
+
+### Resources
+
+| Source / Link | One-sentence takeaway |
+|---------------|-----------------------|
+| [EOIR Case Data – Data.gov](https://catalog.data.gov/dataset/eoir-case-data) | A comprehensive public dataset of U.S. immigration court cases, including juvenile proceedings since 2008. |
+| [TRAC Immigration Reports](https://trac.syr.edu/immigration/) | Offers aggregated immigration court statistics, but typically does not disaggregate juvenile-specific data. |
+| [Los Angeles Times – Legal funding cut](https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-03-21/migrant-children-legal-funding-trump) | Reports on the Trump administration’s cancellation of legal aid contracts for unaccompanied minors. |
+| [CNN – Migrant children custody](https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/04/politics/migrant-children-families-government-custody) | Reveals ongoing child detentions and removals without adequate legal support. |
+| [The Guardian – Children left alone](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2025/jun/05/trumps-immigration-children-unaccompanied-minors) | Details the emotional and legal isolation faced by migrant children under hardline policies. |
+| [The Imprint – Kids used as bait](https://imprintnews.org/top-stories/the-children-are-being-used-as-bait/261090) | Investigates how prolonged detention and policy shifts leave immigrant children without resolution or support. |
+
+## Group Understanding & breakingdown of the background review
+
+We applied systems thinking to the topic domain and the four previously
+cited articles, to understand the complex, interconnected issues
+immigrant juveniles face in accessing legal representation and reuniting
+with family in the U.S. These systemic challenges result
+from evolving immigration policies, funding instability, enforcement practices,
+and underlying beliefs about immigrant children and legal rights.
+Below is an overview organized into events, patterns/trends, structural factors,
+and mental models shaping this system:
+
+### Events  
+
+- The Trump administration ended funding for legal representation
+of nearly 26,000 unaccompanied migrant children, severely limiting access
+to counsel.  
+- Children face prolonged detention due to new, restrictive sponsor eligibility
+requirements, including DNA testing, proof of income, and biometric data.  
+- ICE and DHS conduct surprise “welfare checks” at potential sponsors’ homes,
+deterring families from stepping forward.  
+- Deportation hearings are frequently fast-tracked, pressuring children
+to represent themselves without adequate legal support.  
+- Legal aid organizations struggle with unstable funding and reduced capacity.  
+
+### Patterns / Trends  
+
+- A consistent rise in unrepresented immigrant juveniles correlates with stricter
+immigration policies.  
+- Children without attorneys have much lower appearance rates in court
+and higher deportation risks.  
+- Detention times have tripled on average, causing increased trauma and distress.
+- Families increasingly avoid sponsoring due to fear of enforcement actions.  
+- Legal aid funding remains vulnerable to political shifts,
+undermining long-term support.  
+
+### Structure  
+
+- Immigration courts do not guarantee legal representation for juveniles,
+unlike criminal courts.  
+- Legal aid depends on federal contracts subject to abrupt termination,
+limiting stability.  
+- Sponsor approval involves complex and invasive documentation requirements.  
+- Court systems use “rocket docket” procedures, rushing hearings
+and disadvantaging unrepresented children.  
+- Support systems (non-profits, social services) lack capacity to respond quickly
+to policy changes.  
+
+### Mental Models  
+
+- Legal representation for immigrant children is widely viewed as discretionary,
+not a right.  
+- Child welfare is often deprioritized in favor of immigration enforcement.  
+- Assumptions persist that stricter enforcement deters migration,
+even at children’s expense.  
+- Some policymakers and system actors believe children can self-represent
+or do not deserve counsel.  
+- ***Our group hold that every child deserves protection,
+fairness, and legal voice, regardless of immigration status.***
+
+---
+
+> <!-- Explain—in your own words—how the domain
+> works and where the pain points are.  
+> You can embed a diagram, bullet causal loops, or add a short narrative -->
+
+## Research Question
+
+“How do changes in U.S. immigration policy under the current administration
+affect access to legal representation and outcomes
+for immigrant juveniles seeking protection?”

CONTRIBUTING.md

@@ -0,0 +1,226 @@
+<!-- markdownlint-disable MD001 -->
+<!-- markdownlint-disable MD013 -->
+<!-- markdownlint-disable MD033 -->
+<!--
+Explanation:
+- MD001: Disabled because HTML <details> tags are used for collapsible sections, which causes skipping heading levels.
+- MD013: Disabled to allow longer lines for better-looking tables.
+- MD033: Disabled because HTML (such as <details> and <summary> for collapsibles) is used in this file.
+
+These rules are temporarily disabled to improve the visual quality and readability of this document.
+-->
+# CONTRIBUTING.md
+
+Welcome to The Data Detectives! 👋
+
+We are an international, interdisciplinary team working across time zones, cultures,
+and communication styles. To ensure respectful, inclusive, and effective collaboration,
+please follow these guidelines when contributing to this project. 👇
+
+---
+
+<details open>
+<summary><h2>🏗️ Repository Structure</h2></summary>
+
+Please take a moment to get acquainted with the key directories and files in this repository:
+
+| Path                                   | Description                                                                          |
+|-----------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
+| **/collaboration**                      | Materials for team communication, group norms, learning goals, constraints, and retrospectives. |
+| **/notes**                              | Shared tools, guides, resources and useful references for the team.                            |
+| **/0_domain_study → /6_final_presentation** | Project deliverables arranged by milestones |
+| **README.md, CONTRIBUTING.md**          | Core documentation for understanding and contributing to the project.                 |
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><h2>🌍 Be Culturally Respectful</h2></summary>
+
+- Assume positive intent — differences in expression or tone may reflect cultural backgrounds, not disrespect.
+- Limit the use of idioms, slang, or culture-specific references, or explain them if used.
+- Remember that holidays and weekends may vary across cultures and locations.
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><h2>🕓 Respect Time Zones and Asynchronous Work</h2></summary>
+
+- Don’t expect instant responses; allow time for team members to reply.
+- Use clear dates and specify time zones when coordinating meetings or deadlines.
+- Document any decisions so collaborators in other time zones stay in the loop.
+- Assign and track tasks on the GitHub Project Board for team-wide visibility.
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><h2>💬 Communicate Clearly</h2></summary>
+
+- Keep your messages clear and to the point.
+- Use lists, visuals, or brief summaries to break down complex ideas.
+- Request clarification if you’re confused, and be patient with questions from others.
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><h2>🎯 Contribute Inclusively</h2></summary>
+
+- Invite participation from everyone, especially those less comfortable with language or tools.
+- Value different working styles, speeds, and levels of experience.
+- Use shared docs and GitHub Issues to ensure everyone can contribute and stay informed.
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+<details>
+<summary><h2>🛠 GitHub Workflow</h2></summary>
+
+### 1. 🖇️ Cloning the Repository
+
+- You can either:
+
+  - Use VSCode → "Clone Git Repository"
+
+  - Or use terminal with following command:
+
+```bash
+git clone https://github.com/MIT-Emerging-Talent/ET6-CDSP-group-19-repo.git
+cd ET6-CDSP-group-19-repo
+```
+
+---
+
+### 2. 🌿 Creating & Updating a Branch
+
+- Make a new branch for your feature or fix:
+
+  ```bash
+  git checkout -b your_branch_name
+  ```
+
+  ✔ Use clear names: `docs-collaboration`, `bug-fix`
+
+- To keep your branch updated with main:
+
+  ```bash
+  git checkout main
+  git pull origin main
+  git checkout your_branch_name
+  git merge main
+  ```
+
+---
+
+### 3. 🚀 Making & Pushing Changes
+
+- Only stage files you intend to change:
+
+  ```bash
+  git add specific_file.py      
+  git commit -m "feat: add milestone summary"
+  git push origin your_branch_name
+  ```
+
+  ❌ Avoid using 'git add .'
+
+---
+
+### 4. 🧩 Working with Issues
+
+- Always check for an existing issue before creating a new one.
+- Use issues for bugs, ideas, or questions; describe your suggestion, get feedback, and make sure it fits team priorities.
+- Write clear titles and details.
+- Assign yourself to an issue when you start.
+- Reference issues in Pull Requests (e.g., `Closes #7`).
+
+---
+
+### 5. 📥 Creating a Pull Request (PR)
+
+- After pushing your branch:
+
+  - **Option 1:** Click **Compare & Pull Request** on the repo homepage.
+  - **Option 2:**  
+    1. Go to the Pull Requests tab → New Pull Request  
+    2. Select your branch and `main`  
+    3. Click **Create Pull Request**
+
+- Your PR should include:
+
+  - What you changed & why
+  - Linked issue (e.g., `Closes #4`)
+  - Screenshots or notes if helpful
+
+❗ Every PR must be reviewed by **at least two members** before merging.
+
+---
+
+### 6. 🔁 Review & Merge
+
+- Assign reviewers and move your task to **Ready for Review** on the Project Board.
+- After approval, click **Merge pull request → Confirm merge.**
+- Move the corresponding card to **Done** on the Project Board.
+
+---
+
+### 7. ⚔️ Resolving Merge Conflicts
+
+- If your branch is behind `main`, follow these steps:
+
+```bash
+git checkout main
+git pull origin main
+git checkout your_branch_name
+git merge main
+```
+
+- If there are conflicts:
+
+  - VSCode will highlight the conflicting areas (`<<<<<<<`)
+  - Manually edit files to resolve
+
+- After fixing each file:
+
+```bash
+git add resolved_file.py
+```
+
+- Finalize the merge:
+
+```bash
+git commit -m "resolve merge conflict with main"
+```
+
+❗If you're unsure, don’t hesitate to ask the team before committing.
+
+---
+
+### 8. 📌 Using the Project Board
+
+- The GitHub Project Board helps us stay organized.
+- Every task should begin as an **Issue**.
+- Move tasks to **In Progress** when you start.
+- Move to **Ready for Review** with an open PR.
+- Move to **Done** after merging.
+- Keep the board updated for async teamwork.
+
+</details>
+
+---
+
+## 🤝 Let’s Build Together
+
+This is a learning environment—everyone brings something valuable.  
+Let’s co-create a respectful and inclusive space where differences are strengths, and feedback is welcomed as a tool for collective growth.
+
+---
+
+Thank you for contributing! 💙