Количество иммигрантских детей в системе опеки Джорджии выросло на 80% из-за ужесточения миграционной политики

The number of immigrant children entering Georgia’s foster care system has increased significantly over the past year as federal immigration enforcement actions have intensified, placing additional demands on the state’s child welfare system. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that 83 immigrant children entered Georgia state custody between Oct. 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. That compares to 46 children during the same six-month period a year earlier—an increase of roughly 80 percent. The figures were obtained from the Georgia Department of Human Services. Although the number represents a small portion of the approximately 12,700 children in Georgia’s foster care system, officials say the increase comes as the Division of Family and Children Services continues to face staffing and budget challenges. The agency experienced an $86 million budget shortfall last year, forcing reductions in some foster care contracts. Former DFCS Director Tom Rawlings told the AJC that cases involving immigrant children often require specialized services, including language assistance and support for children coping with the trauma of family separation. He said immigration enforcement decisions made at the federal level can have significant impacts on state child welfare agencies. According to the Department of Human Services, state law requires DFCS to intervene whenever a child is left without a legal caregiver, regardless of the circumstances. Agency officials say they work with families, attorneys, and foreign consulates whenever possible to reunify children with their parents after deportation or relocation. The AJC also reports that Georgia ranks among the nation’s leading states for immigration arrests during President Donald Trump’s second term, contributing to increased concern among immigrant advocacy groups and child welfare professionals about the growing number of children affected by immigration enforcement.