I am writing to correct the takeaway message behind Lauren Shore’s letter to the editor, “History Repeats: Why Our Immigration Policies Must Reflect Our Jewish Values,” February 13, 2025. I feel compelled to point out what seems to be a mischaracterization of long-standing immigration law specifically with respect to foster children. It was misleading in the sense that Josef Starcher, like many other readers, assumed that Ms. Shore’s children were necessarily seeking asylum in the United States (“Tzedakah Begins at Home,” February 20, 2025). And the implication was that those claims might not be successful, as most asylum claims in the United States are not granted because the claims don’t fit the definition of a refugee in the U.S. The result: tragedy for the unfortunate children.
To be clear: There is something called a Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) visa petition that a minor who was abandoned by either one or both parents is eligible for.
The SIJ visa was created by Congress as part of the Immigration Act of 1990, to provide a pathway to lawful permanent residency (a green card) for children in the U.S. who had been abused, neglected, or abandoned and for whom it was not in their best interest to return to their home country.
It is disingenuous to write a letter making it seem that these poor foster children are scared and in an unknown, precarious situation. If they have lawyers working for them, they know exactly what relief is available to them. This is provided by law.
Please do not leave readers thinking that the United States does not have laws in place for this exact purpose. Our immigration laws have changed to humanely meet the circumstances of today. There are many ways in which the immigration system can be improved, but the accommodation of orphans and foster children is not one of them. Our great country is very much doing its part on this front.
