Trump administration might separate parents from children at the border

According to some government officials, the Department of Homeland Security is considering separating adults from children at the border if they are trying to enter the US illegally. This step will be taken to deter parents from travelling with children. At present illegal immigrants who enter US with children are allowed to stay in the country until their cases are resolved. This is because prolonged detention of children is not allowed as par a federal appeals court ruling.

The Trump administration is trying to deter immigration and trying to stop illegal immigrants from taking advantage of this ruling. So, the new proposal if implemented will separate adults from children and the children will then be sent to protective custody under the Department of Health and Human Services until a US relative or state sponsored guardian can take care of them. The parents meanwhile will be detained while their cases are being heard in court.

The proposal comes at a time when illegal immigration seems to be at a all time high. Between Oct. 1, 2016, and Jan. 31, 2017 nearly 54,000 children and their guardians were caught entering the country illegally, this is more than twice the number apprehended over the same time period the previous year.

Republicans argue that parents, especially mothers often agree to take up the arduous journey because they know they will be released from detention quickly. On the other hand some non parents might resort to kidnapping and abusing children to take advantage of this loophole.

“The journey north is a dangerous one, with too many situations where children — brought by parents, relatives or smugglers — are often exploited, abused or may even lose their lives,” Department of Homeland Security spokesman David Lapan said.