Deportation Prevention Advice

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Reaching out to my flist here--anyone have any ideas?

My daughter's best friend Courtney's family took in a friend of their son's. His mother died, and his father abandoned him--sent him on a bus to Courtney's mom (who had moved from Las Vegas to Minnesota, but when they lived in Las Vegas the boy mostly lived with them).

The kid just turned 16. Turns out, he would've had to have been adopted at 15...which Courtney's mom VERY much wants. They were unable to accomplish that before his birthday thanks primarily to his father (who now can't be found), and now he is facing deportation to the Philipines.

He is 16. He has no family here but Courtney's, he has no family there. And, he is gay.

Any advice on how to keep him here would be appreciated. He has a lawyer and they are trying to do anything and everything they can but our government thinks it is more important to send a 16-year-old gay young man with no family or skills to a country he hasn't been to since he was a child.

Thanks flist--I have no idea how this kid can be saved and he is terrified, beyond terrified. I am heartsick for them all.

Comments

[00goddess.livejournal.com]

I think this is the best idea and was basically what I was going to suggest.

CPS is different in every state, but here are some things I can offer as a former CPS kid: it is possible that he will get to stay with his current family. It really depends on the caseworker in question & the capacity of local shelters. The most likely scenario is that he will be sent to a shelter or emergency foster care for awhile while his current caregivers are investigated for fitness. Then he will probably be allowed to return to them as CPS is usually overjoyed to find people willing to take kids.

[paragraphs.livejournal.com]

Passing on...thanks!