The Biden Administration is facing Republican criticism as they refuse to turn away any unaccompanied migrant child.
As child migrants continue to arrive at the U.S. border in mass, the Biden administration continues to defend its stance on welcoming and protecting all unaccompanied migrant children.
The policies have faced criticism from many Republicans, including former President Trump who said that Border Patrol agents and ICE were “disrespected, demeaned, and mocked.” He also called the surge of migrant children a “border nightmare.”
Trump did not spare the words of criticism against Biden’s handling of immigration. “A mass incursion into the country by people who should not be here is happening on an hourly basis, getting worse by the minute. Many have criminal records, and many others have and are spreading covid. Interior enforcement has been shut down—criminals that were once promptly removed by our Administration are now being released back onto the street to commit heinous and violent crimes. ICE officers are desperate to remove these convicted criminals, but Biden won’t let them,” Trump said in a statement issued by his Office in Palm Beach, Florida.
Influxes of migrant children paired with the COVID-19 social distancing precautions have led the Biden Administration to open new housing facilities, request more beds and find funding for COVID-19 tests. However, the administration will not refuse an unaccompanied child or revert to Trump’s border policies, which White House officials have called “immoral” and “ineffective.”
“We don’t take our advice or counsel from former President Trump on immigration policy which was not only inhuman but ineffective over the last four years. We are going to chart our own path forward, and that includes treating children with humanity and respect and ensuring they’re safe when they cross our borders,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said.
When asked if there are any discussions within the White House to reverse the policy of allowing all unaccompanied children into the United State, Paski immediately shot down the question with a simple, “no.”
“I think this issue requires us to take a step back as human beings, and as mothers, of which I am one,” Psaki said. “These kids are coming, they are fleeing prosecution, they are fleeing difficult circumstances in their home country when they come here. All we’re talking about here is ensuring that they are treated safely, they are not trafficked, they are not sent back on an unsafe journey.”
Biden and his administration repeatedly told migrants that now is not the time to come as the administration works to reverse the previous administration’s inhumane border policies and as the pandemic ravages the country. However, they are preparing for more influxes of unaccompanied migrant children as their policy continues.