Foster Children Opportunity Act

From First Focus:

Dear colleagues:

Congressman Pete Stark is planning to introduce the Foster Children Opportunity Act in mid-July. The bill seeks to ensure that abused and neglected immigrant children have an opportunity to obtain the legal immigrant status to which they are entitled prior to aging out of the foster care system. Immigrant children involved in the child welfare system are often eligible for special forms of immigration relief, including Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) but early identification is critical given that a child can lose SIJS eligibility once the court terminates jurisdiction over the youth. More often than not, court and child welfare officials are unaware of immigration relief options available, leaving these children at risk of deportation at any time and drastically limiting their educational and work opportunities when they “age out” of the system. 

Child welfare staff, judges, attorneys and other service providers play a critical role in the lives of these young people. It is essential that they are  knowledgeable about immigration issues and SIJS in particular, and has access to the training and resources necessary to fully protect all children in its care. The Foster Children Opportunity Act aims to ensure that all children in the foster care system are screened for SIJS and other immigration relief options. The bill provides needed technical assistance to child welfare agencies and resources to train judges, attorneys and other legal workers on this matter. It also provides recommendations to federal agencies to strengthen the SIJS program through the issuance of policy guidance.

We have drafted a letter of support and hope that your organization can sign on. Deadline for sign-on is COB, Friday, July 8. Please email Shadi Houshyar at shadih@firstfocus.net if your organization would like to sign on. Thanks!

bh