AGENCY TESTIMONY
Immigration services and support for youth in foster care
1:17:25
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90 sec
ACS works closely with foster care agencies to address the immigration needs of children and youth in foster care who are not U.S. citizens.
- Each foster care agency has at least one immigration liaison working with the ISLA team
- Currently tracking about 450 children as immigrant youth in care from 57 countries
- Many children are eligible for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) or other forms of immigration relief
- ACS is committed to helping immigrant families and youth who have come to New York City for a better life
Stephanie Gendell
1:17:25
In addition, long before the recent increase in asylum seekers, ACS has worked closely with foster care agencies to address the immigration needs of children, youth, and foster care.
1:17:36
Each foster care agency has at least one immigration liaison who works with the ISLEA team to ensure that any child or youth in ACS care who is not a United States citizen is referred for immigration legal services.
1:17:49
This led team is currently tracking about 450 children as immigrant youth and care.
1:17:55
These children have come to the United States from 57 countries with the largest number being from Central America, and the West Indies, South America, and Africa.
1:18:05
Many of these children, youth and care, will be eligible for special immigrant juvenile status, stitches, and some are eligible for immigration relief through other means, such as a side them, TVs as you vases, which are available for victims of trafficking or certain crimes here in the United States.
1:18:22
As you might know, it takes many years to get a green card through Sidges.
1:18:25
Currently, the federal government is processing seeing green cards for those who's approved Sige's application was filed before January 2021.
1:18:34
However, during the waiting time, the youth may be eligible to work for to apply for a work permit and have their deportation proceedings dismissed due to the Biden Administration's deferred action policy.
1:18:46
ACS is committed to helping New York City's families thrive, and we are going to do all that we can to help families and youth who have come to the New York City for a better life.
1:18:55
Happy to take your questions.
