US-Mexico border: Who’s responsible for unaccompanied migrant kids?

JIMMIE JOHNSON: THE CRISIS AT THE BORDER IS WORSE THAN IT’S BEEN IN DECADES. NO MATTER HOW IT GOT TO THIS POINT OR WHO YOU MAY BLAME, THE FACT IS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN SITTING IN LIMBO.     

SO, WHAT HAPPENS TO THOSE KIDS NOW?   

LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT.  


FIRST OFF, WHO’S RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CHILDREN?  

THE CURRENT U.S. IMMIGRATION POLICY STEMS FROM THE 2002 HOMELAND SECURITY ACT PASSED IN RESPONSE TO SEPTEMBER ELEVENTH.

HERE’S HOW THE U.S. IMMIGRATION PROCESS FOR UNACCOMPANIED MINORS WORKS. A CHILD WHO ILLEGALLY CROSSES THE US-MEXICO BORDER IS TAKEN TO A CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL FACILITY. SOME OF THESE CHILDREN ARE AS YOUNG AS SIX YEARS OLD, ACCORDING TO HOMELAND SECURITY.

U.S. LAW GIVES CUSTOMS AND BORDER PATROL 72 HOURS TO TRANSFER A CHILD TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. A CHILD CAN BE HELD LONGER FOR EXTENUATING CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID.  

HEALTH OFFICIALS MUST FIND A PLACE FOR THESE CHILDREN TO LIVE UNTIL THEIR IMMIGRATION HEARING. 
 

HENCE THE QUESTION, WHERE DO THESE KIDS GO?

ACCORDING TO HHS, 30% OF THE CHILDREN HAVE A PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN IN THE UNITED STATES, 50% HAVE A CLOSE RELATIVE OR FRIEND WHO COULD CARE FOR THEM. THE REMAINING 20% END UP IN SOME FORM OF FOSTER CARE, USUALLY WITH THE HELP OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

THE KIDS GO TO ONE OF THESE 25 FACILITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.  

ARE THEY HERE TO STAY? IT DEPENDS ON THEIR IMMIGRATION HEARING.

SOME ARE ACCEPTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND OTHERS RETURN TO THEIR HOME COUNTRY.  

THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG THE IMMIGRATION PROCESS CAN TAKE.  

ONCE THE CHILDREN TURN 18 YEARS OLD, THEY AGE OUT OF THE SYSTEM AND ARE TREATED AS ADULTS, WHICH MAKES THEIR PATH TO STAY MORE DIFFICULT.  

SO THAT’S HOW THE U.S. HANDLES UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN WHO ILLEGALLY CROSS THE BORDER.    

GET IT STRAIGHT? LET ME KNOW!