The Voice of Canada News|
Trump’s policy is giving migrants from the southern belt of the United States a very difficult time as it is separating children from their parents, dividing republicans and disturbing the human rights of the people. This policy has faced a lot of criticism and as it is forcibly separating families. Meanwhile U.S president Donald Trump has been shifting blame to the Democrats by saying that he inherited the policy form them. “even Mrs. Trump hates to see children separated from their families and hopes both sides of the aisle can finally come together to achieve successful immigration reform”, a spokeswoman said. Top UN human rights officials are against this policy and are urging Trump administration to stop its unethical measures.
What is this policy about?
This policy started on April 6th, the Trump administration announced new measures, to criminally prosecute more people who try to enter the U.S illegally through the southwestern border. This policy was described as the ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ by General Jeff Sessions. The policy had dramatic consequences for families crossing with children. From April 6th to may 31st, approximately 1,995 children were separated from 1.940 adults who were trying to enter the U.S border illegally. More adults were jailed, pending trial, due to which their children were separated from them.
Situation before the policy started: Before this policy, many people who were accused of illegal entry and were without a criminal record were referred to the civil deportation proceedings, which usually didn’t separate families.
What happens to the children: Children in South Texas are being warehoused in detention facilities where hundreds of migrants are being held in metal cages. Others are being placed with sponsors in the United States, increasing worries that they could be used as child labour or even worse, become prey to human traffickers.
On June 17, the U.S Border Patrol allowed reporters a brief visit to an old warehouse in South Texas where these children were held. According to the Associated Press journalists, there were hundreds of children waiting in series of cages created by metal fencing. There were scattered bottles of water, and large foil sheets were being used as blankets. This dark and dingy facility was further divided into separate wings for unaccompanied children and children with adults. According to border patrol facility, close to 200 people inside the facility were minors unaccompanied by parents.
The administration could easily put the policy to an end. But Mr. Trump’s critics say he’s using the issue to fore opposition lawmakers to negotiate immigration policy and Trump’s promised border wall. Mr. Trump plans to meet with House of Republicans on Tuesday to discuss pending immigration legislation amid an election season debate over one of his favorite issues.
