The United Nations Human Rights Office has issued a strong appeal for the United States to “immediately cease” its inhumane practice of separating migrant children from their parents at the border. This policy has been recognized as a violation of human rights, highlighting that there is “nothing normal about detaining children.”
In a statement from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, spokesperson Maya Elmore outlined the serious issues stemming from the Trump administration’s rigid enforcement of family separations along the U.S.-Mexico border. Elmore emphasized that the policy results in individuals who enter the country unlawfully facing criminal charges, leading to their children, even very young ones, being taken away.
“The use of immigration detention and family separation as a deterrent contradicts established human rights standards,” Elmore stated. “The welfare of the child must always be the priority, even above migration management goals or other administrative issues. It is alarming that, in the U.S., immigration control seems to overshadow the essential care and protection of migrant children.”
The UN describes the policy as an “arbitrary and unlawful interference in family life,” constituting a grave violation of children’s rights. Following Attorney General Mike Johnson’s directive in April for the prosecution of all illegal border crossings, the new “zero tolerance” approach has led to the separation of hundreds of migrant children from their families, as reported by NBC News. As of the latest updates, nearly 300 of the 550 migrant children in U.S. custody have been detained beyond the 72-hour limit set for temporary facilities at the border, with a significant portion of these children under the age of 12.
These border facilities, managed by patrol agents, are ill-equipped for the long-term care of children. Thomas Reed, the director of policy advocacy for the National Immigration Law Center, noted, “Holding children in these short-term facilities for extended periods is both inappropriate and potentially harmful, as they often lack the necessary medical and nutritional resources. It poses risks to their safety if housed with adults without proper privacy.”
Currently, the U.S. Health and Human Services agency is responsible for the long-term care of unaccompanied migrant children and is managing 11,200 such cases. The average wait time for finding a sponsor for these children is around 45 days, which adds to the uncertainty surrounding their situation.
Former Department of Homeland Security official and immigration reform advocate Lisa Hartman highlighted that the lack of preparation for this influx of children is not solely the fault of HHS. “The current scenario reflects a fundamental failure to plan for the implications of enacted policies,” she stated. “There was little thought given to how this would affect children and their parents, as well as the operational challenges.”
The UN’s position is unequivocal: “The U.S. must stop the separation of families and cease criminalizing what should be regarded as merely an administrative violation—irregular entry into the country.” They are calling for U.S. authorities to implement non-custodial alternatives that enable children to stay with their families while respecting their rights to liberty and family life.
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In summary, the UN’s call for the U.S. to stop separating migrant families underscores a critical human rights issue. The ongoing separation policy not only harms children but also raises serious ethical and legal concerns. The UN emphasizes the need for immediate action to protect the rights and welfare of migrant families.