LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to take steps to recruit the relatives and family friends of children whose parents are in ICE custody to act as foster families.
Supervisor Hilda Solis recommended the outreach to potential caregivers who could step in for families held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“If a parent is detained by federal immigration agents, L.A. County will do everything in its power to ensure that no child — regardless of immigration status — will be left alone or abandoned,” Solis said. “It is our moral responsibility to take every action possible to protect these defenseless children, many of whom are U.S. citizens.”
Solis estimated that roughly 70% of undocumented Latinos share a home with at least one U.S. citizen, and about one-third live with their U.S.-born children. She urged families to plan ahead and make custody arrangements for their children in the event of stepped-up immigration enforcement.
Immigration status does not prevent someone from acting as a caregiver or “resource family.” Families who foster children are also eligible for financial support to help care for the child.
Bet Tzedek Legal Services, which provides legal help for low-income residents, expressed support for the plan.
“This reflects our Jewish history and traditions, which teaches us to welcome all immigrants as we pursue justice,” said Diego Cartagena, vice president of legal programs for Bet Tzedek. “Supervisor Solis’ motion exemplifies this ideal by helping marshal critical county resources on behalf of immigrant families.”
The board directed the Department of Children and Family Services to work with county lawyers, the Office of Immigrant Affairs and community members to come up with and implement a recruitment plan within a week. A written report on the plan is expected in 30 days.
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ANNON says
WOW! Don’t let them become victims like Gabriel, Noah and Anthony. Keep those kids away from the foster care system! They are much better in ICE camps.
PUTRID COMMENTS says
Why oh why do you allow such racist comments to be posted? This is not freedom of speech, you have animals such as Mike threatening to cause harm against minors and you allow these comments to post. You are part of the problem and you are sickening to the core. Keep helping these racist, asinine, xenophobic fools entertained, shame on you AV Times.
Broken heart says
Most of the comments are racist, or people wishing others death. It’s called hate speech, and it is destroying this nation.
Trumpist#1 says
Racist, racist, racist. Your only answer to the catastrophic immigration crisis that is stealing OUR country. You would take away all freedom of speech, 2nd amendment, etc. because anybody that disagrees with you is RACIST.
Your incoherent rant does not facilitate an honest debate.
MAGA/KAG in 2020
Cassie Carmichael says
I find the system very bias and unethical. They have literally stole children from loving parents over false allegations never to see them again while famuly members are denied the right to foster their own relative. Yet, this immigration hype gains priority??? LA County judicial system is corrupted and very discriminatory toward blacks. First hand experience as they’ve continue my case with ongoing ac5s of fraud and parental alienation and child abuse. The government needs better policy makers. These high paid politicians waste air time on frivolous subjects as a main course of distration.
Cher says
I agree with you Cassie. It is true many children are taken away over false allegations. If there has been any domestic violence or drug use in the past this can cause parents to lose their children when faulse allegations are made. Also when these family members lose their children they don’t like to give the children to relatives because they have to have a cleaner record than a police officer. It’s very sad I will never see my nieces and nephews ever again. My God protect all children.
Trumpist#1 says
Anchor babies are the most insidious way to steal our country and make US feel guilty about it!
Mike says
I’ll adopt a couple of them….then drive them straight to an ICE detention center. If ICE won’t take them, I’ll take them for a little field trip to Mexico and play hide and seek at the first park I see.
Send it back says
No more wasting taxpayer money send them back
Values says
“This reflects our Jewish history and traditions, which teaches us to welcome all immigrants as we pursue justice…”
Tell that to the Palestinians.
l. says
Right…it’s always do as I say, not as I do. They’ll never come out and admit that what they’re really after is the cheap labor immigrants provide.
Foster says
I hope Hilda Solis, the LA City Council, and Eric Garcetti foster some children.