BACKGROUND
Because CBP is not sure of the relationship between an adult bringing a child across the border, they ask for proof. If there is no proof, they tend to separate the adult from the child until they do a thorough check. Men are also separated from women and children temporarily. Asylum seekers with American born children may also be separated from their kids. When ICE arrests someone and puts them in removal proceedings, that person is often separated from their family and put into detention. The head of household has to wear an ankle bracelet as of 5/11/2023. Sometimes, the adult does not know where the child is and CBP doesn't do a good job of keeping that data. Separating families has continued through the years. Children are the responsibility of the Department of Health and Human Services/HHS and are put in shelters for them. Because the CBP One process is difficult for families to get the same interview times, parents are sending their children across because all children do not have to use CBP One and are allowed into the U.S. as unaccompanied minors.
Veterans who have served in the U.S. military and enlisted with just a green card or permanent resident status, return home and commit some infraction, are often deported for life; they can return in a casket for burial. Many have PTSD and have tried to self medicate (with alcohol or drugs) and then get into trouble. Many have served a sentence in their state and then are turned over to ICE. There are efforts now to provide more services to these veterans. The VA has developed a portal where deported veterans can reapply to return to the U.S. but they often return to the U.S. on humanitarian parole.
RELEVANT LWV POSITION
The League of Women Voters believes that immigration policies should promote reunification of immediate families. The League supports family reunification of spouses or minor children.
TALKING POINTS
- CBP separates men from families and separates children from their guardians (non-parents)
- ICE separates undocumented people from US citizens (often their U.S. citizen children) when they remove those who are undocumented
- Veterans who are not U.S. citizens and commit a crime or misdemeanor can be deported
- The VA has developed a portal where deported veterans can reapply to return to the U.S.