Children from Mexico and Canada have been asked too voluntarily present themselves for expulsion proceedings at the southern border.However, this request was not extended to minors from other nationalities, and the alignment of this directive with existing legal protections remains unclear.
A former National Security official commented on the situation, stating, “They are not competent to make their own decisions,” referring to migrant minors. The official elaborated, “That is the idea: they are children. It is the premise of the TVPRA.”
In addition to the expulsion process, other policy changes affecting unaccompanied minors are also being implemented.
The refugee resettlement office, a federal agency under HHS, has introduced new guidelines.The agency characterizes thes changes as part of a broader initiative to enhance the vetting of sponsors, who are typically relatives of the minors. according to an email obtained by CNN and sent to staff, these guidelines mandate that personnel meet sponsors in person before placing the children.
The email also notes that federal request agencies “may be present to meet their own objectives, which may include interviewing sponsors.” Experts suggest that the potential involvement of federal agencies could exacerbate the existing deterrent effect on immigrant families, many of whom are undocumented and have children in custody.
“We witnessed a fundamental dismantling of protections for this vulnerable population, a population that a bipartisan congress sought to protect years ago through historical federal legislation,” stated Desai.
