Unaccompanied minors coming to US, Hall County seek safe haven from violence - Gainesville Times

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Unaccompanied minors coming to US, Hall County seek safe haven from violence

Evelio Lopez came to U.S. from Guatemala at age 17. He was picked up by ICE at the border and was put in foster care, before eventually making it to Gainesville. After four years, he received a special juvenile immigrant visa and now lives in Dawsonville with his brother.

08122018 IMMIGRATIONsponsors 1.jpg — Evelio Lopez came to U.S. from Guatemala at age 17. He was picked up by ICE at the border and was put in foster care, before eventually making it to Gainesville. After four years, he received a special juvenile immigrant visa and now lives in Dawsonville with his brother.

Some 55 children who crossed the U.S. border unaccompanied by an adult have found a home with sponsors in Hall County so far in fiscal year 2018, which ends Sept. 30, according to the Office of Refugee Resettlement. In fiscal year 2017, that number was 75.