Detentions of inmigrant children increase at US border

Washington, Aug 3 (Prensa Latina) Immigration authorities of the United States set a record in arrests of migrant minors in July, by detaining approximately 19,000 children at southern border, official media reported today.

August 3, 2021
11:30

‘The increase in migrants at the border compared to June was surprising. Crossings tend to decrease on that date due to the heat’, David Shahoulian, an official with the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) explained.

In March the border guard detained 18,877 unaccompanied minors, while in June it arrested 15,253, Shahoulian reported.

Although figures are below the maximum record of 88,857 registered in May 2019, the increase is important considering that last June the border police detained 55,805 migrants.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it will continue to deny asylum to single adults and families. Minors traveling alone are exempt from this prohibition.

‘We are disappointed by President Joe Biden for abandoning his promise to provide fair and humane treatment to families seeking asylum in the United States’, said Neela Chakravartula, managing attorney of the Center for Gender and Refugee Studies.

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