The Empire State is witnessing a dramatic surge in the arrival of unaccompanied migrant children, with the annual figure nearing 7,000 in New York City alone, according to recently disclosed records.
The data indicates a significant increase in the number of young asylum seekers in the city, with a rise of over 60% in the past four years, as reported by The New York Post.
Tom Tortorici, executive director of legal and support initiatives in the Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs, expressed his concerns to the City Council during a special hearing. He stated, Immigrant youth may be especially prone to falling victim to immigration fraud committed by bad faith actors. Tortorici further emphasized the vulnerability of these children, adding, Particularly if they lack a stable and trustworthy adult guardian to help them navigate their immigration legal needs.
The hearing was conducted by two council committees focused on immigration and children and youth. According to data from the US Office of Refugee Resettlement, the average annual arrival of unaccompanied young migrants in New York State was 4,153 from 2015 to 2019. This figure saw a substantial leap to an average of 6,684 per year from 2020 to 2024.
In New York City, approximately 3,100 unaccompanied children were placed with sponsors between October 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024. However, the actual number of migrant children left to fend for themselves could be even higher.
Jamie Powlovich, a supervisor at the Coalition for the Homeless, testified about the plight of these children. She said, Weve also seen young people whose passports were falsified so that they could flee. Powlovich added, But all their other documents or certificates from their home country to indicate that they are in fact minors and then [the city Administration for Childrens Services] does not take them. There is also no consistency on what documentation they are saying young people need. This situation underscores the urgent need for a more robust and consistent approach to addressing the plight of these vulnerable children.
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