June 20, 2018

U.S. companies capitalise on detained migrant children

located:	USA, Mexico
editor:	Yair Oded

Since its announcement in April, the Trump Administration’s ‘zero tolerance’ policy on illegal immigration has wreaked havoc along the southern border with Mexico, as thousands of migrants seeking shelter are being seized by border patrol agents, criminally prosecuted for illegal entry, and detained in federal prisons. The new policy (which Trump and his aids categorically claim is the result of lenient border enforcement by Democrats) does not only violate international refugee law, but has also legitimised a cruel and inhumane practice of separating children from their parents.

As weeks go by, countless stories and testimonies surface about children (some as young as one year old) being ripped apart from their mothers and fathers and put in cages at various detention facilities (often in different states to where their parents are imprisoned). An estimated 2,000 children have been inflicted by this policy since April.

The sheer horror of this new policy is compounded by the fact that, in a typical American fashion, many have found a way to capitalise on the misery of migrant families that are being torn apart. As the federal government grapples to comply with the administration’s directives, it currently contracts private companies to establish and operate detention facilities for minors who either entered the country unaccompanied or were separated from their parents upon crossing the border. As a result, a growing business has been developing around the rising influx of migrant children in various states across the country, where companies advertise a steady stream of new jobs for local community members (who happen to be in dire need of employment) at the privately run detention facilities.

One such facility is a converted Walmart in Brownsville, Texas, currently known as Casa Padre. It is operated by Southwest Key Programs, a group that has received $1.5 billion in federal money to run the centre. Originally contracted to hold just over 1,000 migrant children, the detention facility has recently been granted permission to increase its capacity to 1,500, which ultimately means greater profits for Southwest Key and more job opportunities for Brownsville’s residents.

It has been reported, however, that federal supervision over such private detention facilities is questionable, and that many of them are unequipped to care for minors (particularly ones that are dealing with unspeakable traumas). Although various cases of abuse and neglect by staff have resulted in some firing and closing of privately contracted detention centres, the proliferation of such facilities is on the rise, and this growing industry shows no signs of waning.

As chaos surrounding the separation of migrant families exacerbates, many politicians (from both sides of the isle), organisations and citizens are clamouring against Trump’s draconic policy and demand that families be reunited. It is crucial that Americans understand that in the fight to restore humanity to the government – every voice counts. In the words of Democratic Rep. Beto O’Rourke of Texas, “I’d like to say it’s un-American, but it’s happening right now in America. And it is on all of us, not just the Trump administration. This is on all of us.”

What can you do to help? As a first step, inquire after the actions of elected officials and representatives in your community and state; jolt those who are silent into action and support those who have already taken steps against the policy (such as Dem governors of New York, Virginia, and North Carolina and Rep governors of Maryland and Massachusetts who announced the immediate withdrawal of their national guard resources from the border until the child separation practice is rescinded). Among senators and congress members who have been particularly vocal on the issue are Sen. Bill Nelson and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz of Florida, Democratic Rep. Pramila Jaypal of Washington, and Senator Jeff Merkley, Democrat of Oregon; visit their social media accounts, follow their action and echo their stances.

On June 30th, rallies will take place in Washington D.C. and in other cities across the country under the sponsorship of Families Belong Together to protest against the policy. Visit their website for information on a rally near you.

Additionally, there are numerous organisations that provide assistance to children who have been separated from their parents. The Refugee and Immigration Center for Education and Legal Services have launched an ongoing campaign to raise legal funds for children and parents who have been separated and are in detention (they have thus far raised over $11 million). In Arizona, Momastery is currently raising funds to provide bilingual legal assistance to 60 children (aged 12 months to 10 years) who were separated from their parents and, seeing as no public defender is afforded in immigration courts, may have to represent themselves in front of an immigration judge. Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center is a non profit providing legal assistance to low income immigrant families, including refugees, victims of crime and trafficking, and families seeking reunification.

Photo: Eduardo Perez/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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