County Responds to Humanitarian Crisis of Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
The County of Santa Clara has established agreements with community organizations Bill Wilson Center and Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County to begin training and certification of host families for unaccompanied refugee minors.
The County's efforts began in August when the Board of Supervisors directed County Administration to work with local community organizations to create a Host Family Program for unaccompanied refugee minors. This
action was in response to the humanitarian crisis brought to the Board’s attention by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren regarding the plight of unaccompanied refugee minors warehoused at shelters near the border. The US Customs and Border Patrol office estimates that more than 90,000 Unaccompanied Children will cross into the United States in 2014. This is almost three times the known number in 2013. MORE
The County is working with community partners to address this humanitarian crisis.
Attorneys who are interested in providing pro-bono legal services to unaccompanied refugee minors, or for more information about this issue, contact Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.
For more information about volunteering to be a host family, contact the Bill Wilson Center or Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.
Humanitarian Crisis News Coverage