The number of unaccompanied minor immigrants sent to Alabama by the federal government nearly tripled under President Joe Biden compared to former President Donald Trump.
According to the most recent numbers from the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement, the total number of unaccompanied minors sent to Alabama by the federal government from fiscal year 2021 to present under Biden was 7,990.
SEE ALSO: Ghost kids: How unaccompanied migrant children get lost in Alabama
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, when a child who is not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian is apprehended by immigration authorities, the child is transferred to the care and custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement. Federal law requires that ORR feed, shelter, and provide medical care for unaccompanied children until it is able to release them to sponsors (usually family members), while they await immigration proceedings. These sponsors live in many states.
The most unaccompanied minors sent to Alabama in one year under Biden was fiscal year 2022.
Biden's total is nearly three times as the number of unaccompanied minors who were sent to Alabama from 2017 to 2020 under Trump at 2,692.
The highest number of unaccompanied minors in one year sent to Alabama under Trump was 1,111 in fiscal year 2019. The lowest year was 247 unaccompanied minors during fiscal year 2020.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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