HOMESTEAD, Florida - The heartwarming story of Sol, a 14-year-old eighth grader from Argentina, who arrived in the United States knowing very little English, is a testament to the power of love and compassion.
Despite the language barrier, Sol proudly showed off the dog her foster parents gave her for earning all A’s, snuggled on the sofa across from the Christmas tree. Her foster parents, Andy and Caroline Hazelton, have opened their hearts and home to Sol and several other migrant minors, providing them with love, stability, and a sense of belonging.
As the debate over asylum laws continues to unfold in Congress, faith and community groups across the country are actively recruiting more foster families to help move the children from overwhelmed government facilities. The need for foster parents has never been greater, with nearly 140,000 unaccompanied minors encountered at the border with Mexico in fiscal year 2023.
Program leaders like Mónica Farías, who leads the Unaccompanied Refugee Minors Program for Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami, are tirelessly working to find more families willing to open their homes to these vulnerable children.
For the Hazeltons, their faith has been the driving force behind their decision to become foster parents. They have fostered five migrant minors over the past four years, providing them with a loving and supportive environment. Their globe ornament on the living room Christmas tree is marked with dots for the birthplaces of each family member, symbolizing the unity and love that transcends borders.
While the journey of these children is filled with trauma and uncertainty, foster families like the Hazeltons and others across the country are making a lasting impact on their lives. The need for more foster parents is urgent, and the difference they make in the lives of these children is immeasurable.
As Sol packed her school lunch in a “Stranger Things” bag under Cosmo’s watchful eyes, the Hazeltons said they would be happy to have her stay forever and already refer to their four daughters. Regardless of the length of stay, foster parents say they need to give the children enough stability to get comfortable with unfamiliar U.S. customs — from air conditioning to strict school routines — and to learn more English.
It’s stories like these that remind us of the power of love, compassion, and the impact that a caring family can have on the lives of vulnerable children. The need for foster parents is greater than ever, and the difference they make in the lives of these children is immeasurable.
Disagree. There are already numerous challenges in the foster care system, and increasing it without addressing those issues would only worsen the situation for all children involved.
Agree Increasing foster care for unaccompanied children is crucial for their safety and well-being. However, it’s imperative to address the existing challenges within the system to ensure better outcomes for all involved.
Disagree. The focus should be on improving the existing foster care system instead of increasing it without addressing current challenges.