Worsened conditions of sexual assault, economic instability and rising gang and drug violence in Central America have led thousands of unaccompanied children to flee their home countries causing an "urgent humanitarian situation" at the US-Mexico border. These children are in need of care, are often mistreated by border agents and are placed in already overcrowded holding cells and temporary shelters. They are being subjected to inhumane, appalling conditions.
Border Agents are not equipped to handle the influx of unaccompanied children streaming in that is straining existing detention and enforcement capacity resulting in overcrowding and dehumanizing conditions of captivity. There are not enough Pro Bono attorneys available to assist these children in their legal proceedings.
As the crisis continues at the border, First Friends recently took in an unaccompanied minor who turned 18 on June 24th and was going to be placed in an adult jail facility if First Friends was not able to assist him.
His traumatic story of his journey from Central America fleeing gang violence, and the mistreatment he endured at the border illustrated the inhumane conditions of incarceration. He was placed inside rooms nicknamed "coolers," "ice boxes" or "hieleras" for 3 days in severely overcrowded conditions. The children were forced to sleep on the floor, and the exposure to frigid temperatures made him very ill.
First Friends was able to temporarily house him, before getting into contact with family members in Texas. We were able to provide necessary arrangements to have him reunited with his family and provided necessary referrals to legal services providers to assist him. After 2 long days traveling on the bus and multiple changes, we found out that he successfully and safely made it to Texas.
We believe that opening up more family detention centers is not the solution.These children are not criminals, but refugees who have fled violence in their countries and are seeking refuge and a better life amidst the chaos. Department of Homeland Security and Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) should consider Alternatives to Detention rather than using detention facilities as a solution. ORR needs to speed up placement with parent or relative sponsors and or ensure that children are placed into community-based care whenever possible rather than have them languish in detention
U.S. authorities must deal with this humanitarian crisis immediately, addressing root causes of the crisis, improving resources and coordination and ensuring the needs of the children are met in a safe and humane manner.
We urgently ask President Obama to use his executive power to reform our immigration laws that reflect American ideals of compassion and family unity. We must place the best interest of the children first and should offer protection to the victims. These children should be our priority in dealing with this crisis.
The government should appoint legal representation to assist them through the legal process. Many of these unaccompanied minors admitted into custody are potentially eligible for some type of immigration relief such as special immigrant juvenile status, asylum or visas for victims of crimes or trafficking. Without representation, these kids fall through the cracks. Children who would flee are clearly desperate and more attention needs to be focused on the problem.
To learn more about the humanitarian crisis at the border First Friends will host a focus meeting in early August.
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