Immigrant families separated at the borders

The so-called “Zero Tolerance Policy,” which was officially implemented by the Trump administration in 2018, unleashed a gigantic humanitarian crisis as it led to the separation of immigrant minors from their parents at the borders, and hundreds of them have not been able to find them.

To understand the issue at hand, it is important to clarify that this policy states that immigrants who are detained trying to cross the US borders without legal documentation must face criminal prosecution for violating local law and entering American territory without prior authorization.

However, in accordance with the provisions of the law, minors should not face legal processes. Thus, this policy forced border forces to separate immigrant families who, for the most part, were seeking international assistance while trying to flee from precarious situations.

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Hundreds of immigrant minors have not been able to find their parents

Due to the repercussions it created, mainly on immigrant minors, the controversy surrounding Trump’s “Zero Tolerance Policy” was, and still is, gigantic. Let’s look at some important facts:

• To test the policy’s effectiveness, the Trump administration conducted a secret pilot program between 2017 and 2018, without notifying the American public, which generated uncertainty and dissatisfaction among activist groups and humanitarian organizations.
• During this pilot program, the Trump administration separated more than 1,000 immigrant minors from their parents.
• Initially, at the end of October 2020, organizations in charge of reunifying families separated at the borders during the pilot program stated that there were 545 minors who had not been able to find their parents, who may have already been deported.
• In November 2020, organizations in charge of reunifying families stated that the actual number of minors who had not been able to find their relatives was 666, instead of 545.

According to current official figures, organizations and lawyers in charge of reunifying immigrant families declared that there are still 611 minors who have not been able to find their relatives since 2017, when the Trump administration conducted the secret pilot program without setting clear parameters to reunify families after separation.

Biden’s family reunification project

The Biden administration intends to reunify immigrant families separated at the borders under Trump’s “Zero Tolerance Policy”.

In fact, in one of our most recent articles, we talk about an executive order issued by President Biden to create a family reunification plan as soon as possible and offer medical assistance to immigrant families.

Adding to that, First Lady, Jill Biden, also plans to get involved in the immigrant family reunification project to join forces with federal entities such as DHS (Department of Homeland Security) or HHS (Department of Health and Human Services) and help families affected.

Follow the advice of experts during your immigration process!

Now that the new administration is shaping immigration policies according to its goals and ideals, it is important to follow the advice of experts when starting your immigration journey in the US.

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.