KING COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A lawsuit claims Washington is failing to meet the needs of immigrant youth in its foster system.

The case, brought by advocacy groups on behalf of two young people in foster care, targets the Department of Children, Youth and Families.

It alleges DCYF is putting immigrant youth at risk by not telling them they qualify for immigration relief, failing to help them apply and not tracking their immigration cases.

Advocates say many of these young people, who fled abuse or arrived in the US as children, are eligible for a protected status that can lead to citizenship, but they lose that chance after age 21.

Without it, they may be unable to work, access aid or avoid deportation.

Plaintiffs are asking the court to order sweeping changes to how the state supports immigrant foster youth.