Lutheran Immigration & Refugee Service

When refugee and immigrant children arrive to the United States without a parent or loved one to provide the shelter, security and sustenance they deserve, we are there.

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service is one of two organizations in the world that provides specialized foster care services for resettled unaccompanied refugee children. This unique program started in the 1980's in response to the immense number of unaccompanied and separated children fleeing Southeast Asia. Over the years the program has grown to include children from around the world including: the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq, India, Ukraine, Honduras, El Salvador, and Mexico to name a few. LIRS's affiliate network ensures the children placed in their care receive the services and support they need to be successful in adapting to a new country, culture, and home.

Over the years we have placed more than 6,000 children into the unaccompanied refugee minor program with licensed and trained foster families in our affiliated child welfare programs located throughout the country. These unaccompanied children include refugees, victims of human trafficking, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, and those granted status as a special immigrant juvenile.

In addition to providing foster care services to refugee children, LIRS partners with its afffiliate network to meet the needs of immigrant children leaving federal detention facilities in need of a loving home. These vulnerable children are supported in their new communities through mental and physical health services, educational programs, group activities, legal services, and family reunification when possible.

This foster care program for children leaving federal detention facilities is extremely important for children who:

• are unable to name any family members or appropriate sponsors
• are facing prolonged immigration cases that make their future uncertain
• are hindered from returning to their home country in a timely manner
• are in the process of in-depth interviews or a gradual transition toward family reunification
• may be victims of trafficking, trauma or torture.