A few days ago, adding more controversy to the presidential campaign, a report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) acknowledged that the government has no record of, nor knows what has happened to, more than 32,000 unaccompanied migrant minors who have arrived in the country.
For a border without children at risk, the number is not only alarming and dramatic but also sparks outrage in the international community and among Americans themselves, as this report underscores what has been repeatedly emphasized: the profound humanitarian crisis unfolding in the country due to overwhelming immigration and the government’s limited capacity to address it.
This situation is a matter of humanity and the responsibility of all social actors. The conditions of inequality in which many countries live drive their citizens to make extreme decisions.
There is no justification for a parent’s decision to subject a minor to a perilous journey where it is unknown whether they will reach their destination or emerge unharmed.
According to records, nearly 450,000 unaccompanied minors have entered the country in the last four years, the vast majority without information about a court date to legalize their process.
An unaccompanied migrant minor is defined as a child under 18 who lacks legal immigration status and has no parent or legal guardian in the country.
Recent reports from organizations like Save the Children reveal that over 70% of unaccompanied minors are between 15 and 17 years old, and the percentage of children under 12 entering alone has increased by more than 4% in the last five years.
When unaccompanied minors finally reach the border, they are taken to a refugee resettlement office, where they remain in the custody of U.S. authorities until they are transferred to their new destination, which may be with relatives—often distant—who reside in the country and assume responsibility for their care.
If they have no family ties, they are taken to shelters or families who express willingness to take responsibility for them.
It is precisely during this transfer process from one place to another that coordination among the responsible government agencies has been lacking, allowing much information to be lost and leaving the final destination or the true capacity of the shelters or host families unknown.
The risk that has been warned about globally is that many of these minors may fall into human trafficking networks, sexual or labor exploitation, in addition to being exposed to drug use and involvement in criminal activities.
It is painful and shameful to raise awareness about this situation in a world where the rights and lives of children are sacred and should not be negotiable.
There should be penalties in countries of origin for those who expose their children or underage relatives to a journey with an uncertain future.
Omaira Martínez Cardona
Colombian journalist oma66co@gmail.com
Image: ElPais
