A delegation of White House officials and lawmakers visited Carrizo Springs, テキサス, on Wednesday to see an influx facility designed to accommodate unaccompanied minors crossing the US-Mexico border — and for the first time, allowed independent media access.
This facility and other shelters overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services are equipped to provide medical services, sleeping quarters and other support while case managers work with children to unite them with a sponsor, like a parent or relative, in the United States.
But amid Covid-19 constraints, there hasn’t been enough shelter space to house the growing number of arrivals, resulting in children staying in Border Patrol facilities for prolonged periods of time beyond the 72-hour legal limit.
The conditions in Border Patrol facilities — where the media has not been allowed in — can be described as jail-like and are not meant for minors. After a congressman released photos of one Border Patrol overflow facility in Donna, テキサス, earlier this week, the administration released footage and still photos of the space.
Here are comparisons of the two types of facilities children find themselves in, as the administration scrambles to accommodate them. Photos of minors have been blurred in some cases.
HHS facility Carrizo Springs, テキサス
Images taken from video from inside the Carrizo Springs facility taken by a pool reporter.
Images taken from video from inside the Carrizo Springs facility taken by a pool reporter.
Images taken from video from inside the Carrizo Springs facility taken by a pool reporter.
Images taken from video from inside the Carrizo Springs facility taken by a pool reporter.
Images taken from video from inside the Carrizo Springs facility taken by a pool reporter.
Border Patrol facility in Donna, テキサス
Photos provided by US Customs and Border Protection
The temporary processing facilities in Donna, テキサス, 2月 25, 2021, constructed to process family units and unaccompanied alien children (UACs) encountered and in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Temporary processing facilities in Donna, テキサス, processes family units and unaccompanied alien children (UACs) encountered and in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Temporary processing facilities in Donna, テキサス, processes family units and unaccompanied alien children (UACs) encountered and in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
The face of the child at left has been blurred by CBP. The temporary processing facilities in Donna, テキサス, 2月 25, 2021, constructed to process family units and unaccompanied alien children (UACs) encountered and in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
Temporary processing facilities in Donna, テキサス, processes family units and unaccompanied alien children (UACs) encountered and in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
The temporary processing facilities in Donna, テキサス, 2月 25, 2021, constructed to safely process family units and unaccompanied alien children (UACs) encountered and in the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol.
