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Precious, innocent children are often orphaned or separated from their parents as a result of conflict around the world. Others, desperate to escape violence or poverty, risk everything to go in search of safety and opportunity. When unaccompanied migrant children need a guardian, an advocate or a loving family, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is there to help.
We are renowned experts in serving the best interests of refugee and immigrant children. Our publication Working with Refugee and Immigrant Children: Issues of Culture, Law and Development is a critical resource to law schools, social workers and caregivers across the country.
 Portrait of a Child
Amal was just 8 when he fled violence in his home country, Sudan, in 1987. Just four years later, he was chased out of an Ethiopian refugee camp at gunpoint. He ran again, this time to Kenya, where he lived in another camp until 2002. Finally, the “Lost Boy” finally found a home—with the help and support of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service. Read more.
More Portraits of Children
 
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| How We Serve
Reuniting Families
When unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children seek to reunite with family members already living in the United States, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is called upon by our federal government to help them. We proudly heed the call. Read more.
Finding Loving Homes
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of two organizations in the world that provides specialized foster care services for refugee children who are resettled without parents or guardians. When reuniting with family is not possible, we find loving homes for unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children and support them as they rebuild their young lives. Read More.
Protecting Best Interests
Thousands of children worldwide migrate to the United States each year without parents or other caregivers. When children are taken into the custody of our federal government, they call on Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service to make recommendations as to the best interests of each child. Read more.
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| Facts About Children In the past two years nearly half of all prospective sponsors were identified by Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service as posing potential risks to a child’s well-being. LIRS child specialists screen foster and reuniting families to ensure a safe and healthy environment for every child we serve.
In 2008 Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service found caring foster homes for 222 children, including 155 unaccompanied immigrant children, 14 victims of child trafficking and 12 asylee minors.
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