President Biden has created a problem at the border because of his immigration policy. The southern border has seen an increase in the arrival of unaccompanied migrant children in the past few weeks. This has led to a lack of space in the holding areas.
The Biden Administration is trying to figure out solutions to combat the lack of room; and they are contemplating the use of a military base in Virginia. This would not be the first time in recent history where an army base was utilized to house immigrants.
A Solution to the Overflow?
The Biden Administration is trying to take care of the unaccompanied migrant children over the rest of the immigrants; which is smart. However, there has been an influx of this demographic which has caused the need for more space.
It was reported that the military base in Fort Lee; Virginia, is the likely location where unaccompanied immigrants will be sent if needed in the coming days. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reveale; that they need to find a location quickly because of the flood of children entering the United States.
The Republican legislators have demanded a hearing on the issue, but the Biden Administration has denied their request. The Pentagon has not received a request from the Department of Health and Human Services; but defense officials are starting to prepare.
HHS employees have started to go to the site to see if it’s a viable option; so more information should be coming in the next few days if Fort Lee is chosen.
Details of the Influx Center
The goal of HHS is to not keep children in border patrol stations for longer than 72 hours. This time will start to stretch if record numbers of unaccompanied migrant children continue showing up at the border.
According to HHS, if Fort Lee is selected, it will not automatically be filled with children. If the border stations get to a point where they are holding children for longer than 72 hours; they will be sent to Fort Lee.
The base will be an additional shelter space if necessary; but it will not be a place where children are automatically sent.
The Biden Administration opened a processing center for unaccompanied children in Carrizo Springs, Texas; which has helped with the border influx. They are also opening up two other facilities in Texas for families arriving because this group has been vast.
Not Enough
Even though measures have been put in place; there are reports that there is still not enough room in the new processing centers. In the last week of February, there was an average of 321 unaccompanied minors showing up at the border daily.
This number has risen from 47 in January to 2013 in early February, so the growth rate is alarming. The Democrats have been trying to make the pass to citizenship easier, but it has destroyed Trump’s border security.
The two policies are at the opposite end of the security spectrum. Republicans have demanded answers, but there have been limited visual depictions of the situation at the border.
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