REMARKS
Past efforts to support unaccompanied children, including the unaccompanied minors initiative
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Council Member Avilés discusses past efforts by the city council to support unaccompanied children (UACs), focusing on the unaccompanied minors initiative launched in 2014.
- In 2014, New York City witnessed an influx of UACs fleeing dangerous conditions in their home countries.
- The city council launched the unaccompanied minors initiative in response to the lack of legal support for these children.
- The initiative, through partners like iCARE (Immigrant Children Advocates' Relief Effort), provides vital legal services and coordinates referrals for social services, health, and educational supports.
Alexa Avilés
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In this regard, it is instructive to examine past efforts of this council in our city in our city to welcome immigrant youth.
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In 2014, New York City witnessed an influx of
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the
Alexa Avilés
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OACs, fleeing dangerous and often deadly conditions in their homes, and arriving at our city's doorstep.
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These children had no access to legal support and representation when appearing in New York's immigration courts.
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With the support of incredible community organizations, the city council responded to these needs by launching the unaccompanied minors initiative.
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This initiative has enabled counsel partners.
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The immigrant children youth immigrant children advocates relief effort or eye care to provide vital legal services to these children and youth.
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In addition to legal services, the council's initiative has also provided support for unaccompanied children beyond the courtroom by coordinating referrals and social services such as health and educational supports to the extent possible.
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We look forward to hearing testimony from the advocates about the council's unaccompanied minors initiative and the wraparound resources and services that are being provided to these children and youth.
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And we are immensely grateful for their colossal efforts.
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We wanna make sure that the city does not forget the lessons of the past.
