Remember this summer when screaming headlines and even screamier TV pundits declared a catastrophe at the US borders?
It was the pictures of thousands of unaccompanied minors from Central America got them gasping. It was deemed an “urgent humanitarian situation”
Let’s back up a little and review some of the facts:
- Between 2011 and 2013, there was a 142% increase in unaccompanied minors taken into custody at the southern U.S. border.
- Since October 2013, 70,000 children have arrived at the border
- The influx of children coming to the U.S. were from Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
- Many children were fleeing to avoid gang violence and poverty. Other children were coming to reunite with family members in the U.S.
- Unlike minors from Mexico and Canada, children from Central America are legally not allowed to be immediately deported. This comes from a 2008 statute that was created to fight trafficking.
But wait… Why no screaming today? Is the crisis over? What happened?
Well, unaccompanied minors just aren’t coming as much as before. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson reported early in September:
“I am pleased in August the number of apprehensions along the southwest border declined again, reflecting a continued sharp decline in the number of unaccompanied children”
At first, this seems like great news. Our Border Patrol is no longer overwhelmed by the influx. Now kids are finally being turned over to the Department of Health and Human Services in the standard 72 hours.
But what is causing this decrease? There are many reasons.
First, the Mexican government has taken a larger role to stop migrants. Only recently, Mexican immigration officers, under pressure from the U.S., have aggressively been stopping migrants riding on the tops of freight trains.
Second, there has been much more education to deter migrants from setting off in the first place. Many rumors, including that migrants could receive “permisos”, are starting to be debunked. Public-awareness campaigns in Central America also are educating parents that children will not be given papers in the United States.
Though the numbers have dramatically decreased, should we be pleased as Secretary Johnson noted?
Many of the unaccompanied minors were seeking asylum to flee the madness in their countries. Violence in Central American has not decreased, and many minors are being forced back to dangerous places plagued with violence, gangs, and poverty. This is the sad consequence of the new policies.
Despite the huge decrease in numbers, the issue of immigration will remain a hot button issue in the US. It is only a matter of time before the breathless panicked screaming will start again.
