Biden reopens facility for unaccompanied immigrant minors

The Biden administration decided to reopen a center for immigrant minors, who crossed the US borders without accompaniment or legal documentation. On Monday, February 22, dozens of immigrant minors between 13 and 17 were transferred to this facility under the authorization of the current administration.

The Biden government states that this center will be open only during the health emergency and will stop operating once the global pandemic is under control and minors are safe from the health risk. For now, designated facilities for unaccompanied immigrant children have already reached their maximum capacity and sending more people to these centers would put the health of both HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) employees and minors at risk.

Therefore, Biden and his team state that this is a strategy to protect the integrity of unaccompanied immigrant minors and provide ongoing support during their processes.

However, despite arguments of the current administration of the US, dozens of immigration attorneys, activist groups, humanitarian organizations and immigrant rights advocates have raised their voices against this decision. They declare that this center is made up of “cages” and that conditions inherent to this facility could affect the psychological development of immigrant minors.

The best decision when starting an immigration process is undoubtedly to follow the advice of experienced attorneys. Contact Motion Law and schedule your Free Consultation!

Criticism of the Biden government for reopening facility for immigrant minors

Several critics and experts have commented on the reopening of the center for unaccompanied immigrant teens under the Biden administration.

Let’s see some comments:

• The Biden administration decorated the center with butterflies, flowers, and banners that say “Welcome” (Bienvenidos). According to a recent Guardian report, “unaccompanied migrant children deserve compassion, not detention (…) The Biden administration is instead trying to sell us an image of a kinder, gentler imprisonment (…) Is that meant to fool us into thinking this is humane?”
• Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a member of the US House of Representatives, stated via Twitter: “This is not okay, never has been okay, never will be okay – no matter the administration or party (…) Our immigration system is built on a carceral framework.”
• An immigration lawyer also openly stated: “It’s unnecessary, it’s costly, and it goes absolutely against everything Biden promised he was going to do (…) It’s a step backward, is what it is. It’s a huge step backward.”

Press secretary comments on the reopening of the center for minors

On February 23, the Biden administration’s Press Secretary Jen Psaki commented on the center for unaccompanied immigrant minors and stated that the priority for the current administration is to prevent the deportation of minors at all costs.

Adding to that, she also stated that immigrant children are still under the supervision of HHS and the reopening of this center is an emergency measure to protect the health of unaccompanied minors. She clarified that this center is an “emergency facility to add capacity, where these children can be provided the care they need while they are safely — before they are safely placed with families and sponsors.”

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