Central American refugee children get a Minnesota assist

A Minnesota non-profit has resettled a small number of unaccompanied minors crossing the southern border into the United States and expects to help more as the nation experiences a record-breaking number of children fleeing Central America.

The International Institute of Minnesota, which has done refugee resettlement work with immigrant groups for decades, has reunited seven children ages 6 to 17 with family members in Minnesota since last October.

The institute's case workers ensure the home is safe, the child is enrolled in school and is referred to health and legal services while the child's case is pending. The need for family reunification will grow in the coming months, said Amanda Smith, the group's director of refugee services.

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