Autistic illegal immigrant has grim future

MIAMI, July 3 (UPI) -- An autistic and retarded teenager living in a Florida group home could become homeless when he turns 18 because he is an illegal immigrant.

Officials with the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities say Selim Isimer's status means taxpayer funds cannot be used for his care once he is legally an adult, The Miami Herald reported Friday.

Michelle Abarca, a lawyer with the Florida Immigrant Advocacy Center, said Selim is also at risk of being detained by immigration agents.

"Imagine explaining that to a child like him," Abarca said. "It's very disturbing."

Selim's family came to the United States from Turkey in 2001 on tourist visas. They remained in Miami, but the father left his wife and son in 2003.

In 2008, Selim's mother, apparently feeling unable to take care of him, left him at Miami Children's Hospital and he became a ward of the state.

His lawyers are petitioning to have Selim declared a legal resident of the United States, which would allow him to continue receiving services as an adult.