The Unaccompanied Minors humanitarian crisis at the border
Unaccompanied minors are coming into the U.S. in record numbers. They are running from crime, violence, and truly horrific conditions in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. Imagine how desperate the situation has to be for you to consider sending your 5, 9 or 15 year old daughter with strangers through several countries for a chance at a life somewhere else?When an unaccompanied minor is apprehended they are placed into the custody of Customs Border Patrol usually for no more than 72 hours until they are screed by a Border Patrol Officer. Children from Mexico must convince the officer that they fear persecution or are immediately sent back. Non-Mexican children or those that are found credible are sent to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, part of the Department of Health and Human Services. There they stay until reunited with a relative or found foster care while their immigration case is pending.Click here for a short two minute video that does a good job explaining the reasons for the crisis. It has nothing to do with our more recent immigration practices. It has everything to do, with the disaster unfolding in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
