U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) reported a jump in arrests of unaccompanied immigrant children at the southern border. The government is anticipating up to 9,000 could be taken into custody, which could strain the system.
The Wall Street Journal reported that arrests at the border are on pace to increase by 50 percent in February when compared to January.
“We’re seeing the highest February numbers that we’ve ever seen in the history of the [Unaccompanied Alien Child] program,” a Health and Human Services official told the news website Axios. Reports last week said the Biden administration has been criticized for reopening the same facilities former President Trump used.
CBS News reported Saturday it obtained a memo from the department’s Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) that read, “With increasing numbers of children being referred to ORR for care, ORR must take steps to increase the number of available shelter beds in order to minimize the risk that children remain in CBP custody.”
The report stated 97 percent of the approximately 8,000 beds operated by the ORR are currently filled by unaccompanied minors, and care is even more challenging due to the COVID-19 outbreak and transmission concerns.
CBP told the Wall Street Journal it was unable to share the precise number of minors because it is a sensitive law-enforcement matter. The coronavirus outbreak and economic instability in countries such as Guatemala and Mexico contributed to the influx.
Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, said Wednesday that most migrants who arrive at the border will be turned away. She said, “Now is not the time to come.”
TREND FORECAST: As economic conditions continue to deteriorate, the border crisis in the United States and across the globe will escalate. We maintain our forecast for the growth of anti-immigration, anti-tax, anti-vax, anti-establishment political parties.
