A new task force to reunite migrant families separated by the border immigration policy has reportedly been created by the Department of Health and Human Services.
An internal document outlines an “unaccompanied children reunification task force” established by the assistant secretary for preparedness and response, according to Politico which reported that this indicates “that the challenge of reunifying thousands of families is likely beyond the capabilities of the refugee office.”
The news outlet allegedly obtained the document detailing the creation of the new HHS task force.
“The Secretary of Health and Human Services has directed the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response assist the ACF Office of Refugee Resettlement with Unaccompanied Children Reunification,” the order read. It also activated the agency’s Emergency Management Group.
The Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy, announced by Attorney General Jeff Sessions in April, has drawn widespread criticism for its effect on migrant children who have to be separated from their parents when the families choose to break the law by entering the U.S. illegally.
Presidennt Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday to stop the separations moving forward, though it is not clear yet what will happen to the more than 2,000 families that have already been separated.
“Secretary [Alex] Azar is bringing to bear all the relevant resources of the department in order to assist in the reunification or placement of unaccompanied alien children and teenagers with a parent or appropriate sponsor,” HHS spokesperson Evelyn Stauffer told Politico on Friday.
Typically called into play for emergencies such as hurricanes and viral epidemics, deploying the emergency response team seems to indicate that HHS views the issue as important as a public health disaster.
Trump administration officials were aiming to reunite children in the custody of Customs and Border Patrol with their families by this weekend, according to CBS News.
BREAKING: As of Sunday, June 24, US Border Patrol expects that “all unaccompanied children in their custody who were separated from adults who were being prosecuted will have been reunited with their families,” according to a US administration official.
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 22, 2018
“There will be a small number of children who were separated for reasons other than zero tolerance that will remain separated,” CBS News is told by the official. Usually that involves cases where a child alleges abuse by the adult or the adult is accused of separate violent crime
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 22, 2018
As of Friday evening, CBP reportedly did not have any “unaccompanied children in their custody who were separated from adults.”
BREAKING: As of now, @cbp no longer has any kids, who were separated from their parents under “zero tolerance”, in their custody. More than 500 kids have been reunified with their parents, according to the official who added: there’s 0 chance we’ll be able to film a reunification
— David Begnaud (@DavidBegnaud) June 22, 2018
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- Longtime Biden adviser says Pelosi ‘absolutely’ to blame for his ouster: ‘A very donor-driven thing’ - August 9, 2024
- Vance throttles CNN anchor for ‘disgusting’ smear: ‘You and your entire network should be ashamed’ - August 9, 2024
- INSIDER: Woman says insurance company used a drone to spy on her property, then dropped her: ‘Its like, whoa!’ - August 9, 2024
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!