US data show states getting most immigrant kids

Thursday July 24, 2014 5:30 PM

SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — New federal data show Texas, New York, Florida and California are receiving the most unaccompanied children caught at the U.S. border.

The data published Thursday by the Department of Health and Human Services' Administration for Children and Families show those four states account for 46 percent of the more than 30,000 children who have been released to sponsors this year through July 7.

The U.S. has been grappling with a surge in the number of unaccompanied children who have been fleeing violence in Central America and crossing into the U.S. because they believe they will be allowed to stay.

Children are placed in government shelters and then released to sponsors while they go through deportation proceedings.

In many cases, the sponsors are the children's parents, other relatives, or a family friend.
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Online:
Administration for Children and Families report: http://1.usa.gov/1nYpbLB

http://www.10tv.com/content/stories/...ad-states.html