Migrants raped and trafficked as U.S. and Mexico tighten borders, charity says
(Photo : Reuters)

The Trump administration states that almost all migrants who come across at the southern border, which includes unaccompanied minors, are likely to be returned to the home countries of theirs as a component of the intense attempt to curb new coronavirus infections.

Migration Policy of the US Government Continues

The administration announced on March 20 that it will deny migrants at the southern and northern borders that are not authorized to enter in the U.S., especially those that are found crossing the border illegally or perhaps looking for asylum at ports of entry.

It was originally thought that unaccompanied minors will be exempted from that policy, however, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), during a conference earlier in the week, clarified that every individual that comes across will be subject to the policy -- given by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- and also could be returned to their home countries and reunited with families.

The Trump administration, similar to the Obama administration just before it, has long wrestled with the question of unaccompanied minors -- trying to navigate the road between not abandoning kids escaping violence, while also not sorting households or even creating elements that tempt migrants to take kids north as leverage like with the 2019 migrant problems.

The New Rules Are Now Being Implemented

The Washington Post noted Tuesday that migrants currently found attempting to cross into the U.S. illegally are now being expelled to Mexico in merely 90 minutes as the migrants are now being prepared "in the field" without actually seeing the inside of a patrol station.

Though the concepts are debatable among left-wing activists and Democrats who claim the action violates the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act by putting kids in peril by sending them back to places that are sometimes riddled by violence.

"Reports that DHS is not adhering to the TVPRA are profoundly troubling. we should ensure that the health as well as the safety of those kids. kids do not have to be set in harm's because of defending us from the coronavirus pandemic," a letter from Senate and House Judiciary Democrats to Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf said. "DHS has the strength as well as the capability to guard both these kids and consequently the public. We request that DHS end this practice immediately."

The shift is the result of a sweeping attempt by the administration to avoid additional coronavirus infections by strengthening border policies.

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Temporary Closure of Borders

President Trump announced this month that nonessential traveling will be restricted at the borders with Canada and Mexico. This came when he imposed travel bans on China, Iran and consequently the European Union in reaction to the crisis.

Meanwhile, DHS confirmed on Tuesday to Fox News that 500 soldiers are now being deployed to the border to support CBP attempts to maintain the border safeguards -- even though they will not be actively involved in enforcement.