Gotham Gazette: Dromm Helps Immigrant Foster Children
From Gotham Gazette: By Gail Robinson
Helping Foster Children Stay HereUndocumented immigrant children in foster care qualify for a special immigration juvenile status from the federal government that could help them obtain legal residency and a green card.
Despite that, according to City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, the city's Adminstration for Children's Services has "no dedicated plan or policy" to support these children or to make sure they get help. In fact, Quinn said, the administration does not even know how many children in the foster system might qualify for the special status. The council has estimated a number in the hundreds.
Intro 3-A, sponsored by Councilmember Daniel Dromm, directs children's services to identify children who might qualify, track them until they obtain special status or some other immigration help, assist them in getting their status, and provide training on immigration benefits to its case workers. Children's Services also would have to report to City Council on its efforts.
Dromm said, in a statement, that the bill aims to help "ensure that children who qualify are given the opportunities they deserve, including the ability to be put on a path toward citizenship.
Labels: ImmigrantRights, Legislation, Press
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