MIAMI - Miami Mayor Francis Suarez emphasized the importance Tuesday of National Blue Out, a day which raises awareness for missing and trafficked foster children.
"This National Blue Out Day, let’s stand up for foster youth and raise awareness for missing and trafficked children. Wear blue or light up your business to show support," Suarez said.
In a video statement, Suarez commended See Us Now, a student-led initiative advocating for foster care reform and child trafficking prevention by helping pass the Fine and Protect Youth Act.
Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn introduced the bill in March 2023, which later passed the legislation in October.
It also was sponsored in the House by Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Tex, which passed the bill in September.
“The Find and Protect Foster Youth Act will improve communication between state and federal agencies to help find missing foster children, strengthen reporting standards, and investigate if missing foster youth were victims of abuse, sex trafficking, and other forms of harm," Gonzales said. "The passage of this bipartisan bill will put laws on the books that protect the most vulnerable children among us.”
Specifically, the bill will help over 30,000 foster children who disappeared and never reported missing. Overall, 400,000 are in the foster care system in the United States.
According to Saurez, more than 20,000 children go missing each year. He also noted 60% of children have been in contact with traffickers in the foster care system.
