Navigating the immigration system can be frightening and difficult for adults. It can be hard to imagine children attempting to come into the United States without their parents or other adult caregivers. However, due to many factors, unaccompanied child immigrants frequently seek admittance into Kentucky and elsewhere.
Perhaps unaccompanied minors have relatives who already live in the United States and are attempting to get to them. One or both parents might have died, or they could be fleeing from abusive families or governments. It can be said that the lives of unaccompanied minors are already difficult and uncertain. According to recent allegations by the American Civil Liberties Union, many immigrant children who enter the country without adults may suffer additional injustices committed by border officials.
CBS News reports that the ACLU obtained 30,000 pages that document shocking reports of abuse and neglect against unaccompanied children. Agents from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Department of Homeland Security have been accused of verbal and physical abuse, threats, intimidation and assault against immigrant children in detainment centers. Children have alleged being tased, run over by vehicles, kept in cold and unsanitary cells without proper bedding and being forced to undress while enduring interrogation and inappropriate touching.
Immigration officials have previously been cleared of allegations of injustices against immigrants, including children and families. The outcome of the latest accusations remains to be seen, as well as whether authorities will change policies and procedures to reduce the chances of unaccompanied children who enter the country being mistreated or harmed.
