![]() ![]() Once children are transferred to the refugee agency, they initially are placed in a shelter or detention center, often with hundreds or thousands of other children. Some have remained for up to 10 days in border patrol holding cells that were never intended for the care of children, leading to reports of children being kept in cages, sleeping on the floor and not having ample food, soap or even a toothbrush. The exception is unaccompanied children from neighboring Mexico and Canada, most of whom are quickly sent back to their country after an asylum and anti-trafficking screening by Border Patrol.Īs unaccompanied minor arrivals have soared this year, the Office of Refugee Resettlement has been unable to receive all children within 72 hours. This happens even if the child has a viable asylum claim or other potential pathway to legal status in the U.S.īy law, within 72 hours, all unaccompanied migrant children must be transferred to the federal Office of Refugee Resettlement. ![]() government has initiated deportation proceedings against the child. Border agents hand the child a piece of paper called a “ Notice to Appear” in immigration court – meaning the U.S. When an unaccompanied child first arrives, they are typically met by Customs and Border Patrol, a law enforcement unit of the Department of Homeland Security. Border Patrol agents near Texas’ border with Mexico, April 10, 2021. Unaccompanied minors, left, are grouped apart from families waiting to be processed by U.S. “Alone” is defined as without a parent or legal guardian, so even children who arrive with a grandparent or aunt are considered “unaccompanied” and separated from these caregivers. ![]() Government officials designate a child as “unaccompanied” if they are “alone” when they arrive at the border without lawful status. is obligated to care for these children from the moment they arrive until they turn 18, according to carefully defined procedures.īut as someone who has worked with young migrants for years, I know the government often struggles to do so, especially when the immigration system is overwhelmed by high numbers of children. This exceeds the previous high of 76,020 unaccompanied minors seen in the full 12 months of fiscal year 2019.īehind these numbers are individual children, many of whom have suffered from repeated trauma. government’s fiscal year, 95,079 children left their countries and crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without a parent or legal guardian, many escaping dangerous and/or exploitative situations back home. A record number of child migrants have arrived alone at the United States’ southern border this year.Īs of June 30, 2021, with three months remaining in the U.S. ![]()
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