Allegations of sexual assault and positive COVID-19 tests reported.
The number of unaccompanied illegal immigrant minors entering the U.S. from the southern border has surged in the past several weeks. A new analysis of government data shows that $60 million per week in American tax dollars are going for their care. More than 16,000 children are being housed in Department of Health and Human Services shelters.
HHS had 7,000 available beds in shelters that were quickly filled. The cost of housing minors in these shelters is about $290 daily. In addition, about 8,500 children are living in emergency facilities in convention centers, converted oil worker camps, and military bases. The cost of these emergency sites is more than 2-1/2 times higher than the more permanent shelters “due to the need to develop facilities quickly and hire significant staff over a short period of time,” according to the Department of Health and Human Services. These costs approximate $775 per day.
Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas wants at least one illegal immigrant facility in Texas shut down after sex abuse claims have arisen there. He called the conditions “deplorable.” There are also allegations that items are being stolen from the children, and they are not being properly fed. There is a lack of staff to properly supervise the minors.
The administration projects that by September as many as 26,000 unaccompanied minors will cross the border each month. The majority will require care.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For God to give the staff strength as they deal with the surge of children in the government shelters.
- For border and immigration agents processing and transporting the children who are coming across the border without parent or guardian.
- For DHS Secretary Mayorkas as border policies are evaluated.
- For HHS Secretary Becerra as the health situation of the children is assessed and addressed.
Sources: Washington Post, Washington Examiner, CBS News
