Immigrant children placed in the NYC foster care system

Immigrant children placed
in the NYC foster care system. 

President Trump’s “Zero Tolerance” immigration policy has caused the separation of children from their parents, placing them in separate detention centers and foster care placements across the country. After further deliberation and public controversy regarding the separation of children from their parents, as well as the treatment children received in these facilities ensued, the President discontinued their practice of separation. However, despite the reversal thousands of children are separated from their parents and remain in detention or foster care such as in the case of migrant children placed in NYC. 

While concrete numbers of the children placed in NYC vary, there are reportedly at least 200 children in New York City separation sites. This may leave parents unaware of how to access information about their children and delay reconnection. If your child has been placed in a NYC foster care system, these are the rights of parents who's children have been separated from them.
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Communicate with ACS staff in your preferred language.

• You may request a free interpreter when communicating with ACS on the phone or in person
• You may ask the documents from ACS be translated into your language.

• You may request a free interpreter when communicating with ACS on the phone or in person
• You may ask the documents from ACS be translated into your language.

Receive child welfare services regardless of your immigration status.

• Every New York City resident has the right to receive ACS services, including preventative, foster care, and child care services.

Have any immigration status information that you share with ACS and provider agencies remain confidential, with very few exceptions.

• ACS and provider agencies are only allowed to ask about your immigration status for the purpose of determining if you may qualify for certain specific programs, services, or benefits. With your permission, ACS may also ask your immigration status for the purpose of connecting you with other services such as immigration legal help.

Questions to ask if a loved one calls you from detention or police custody:

• Make sure to record the answers carefully and in as much detail as possible.
• Do you need medical attention?
• What law enforcement agency arrested or detained you?
• Where are you?
• What is the largest city or town near you?
• What papers have you been given and what do the papers say?
• Do you have any court date or hearing scheduled?
• Have you spoken with your attorney/ accredited 

If you would like more information about your rights as a parent of a child placed in the NYC foster care system visit https://www1.nyc.gov/site/acs/about/immigrant-services.page

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