The Recent Surge of Unaccompanied Minors
It seems that fear is a major driving force resulting in the recent surge of unaccompanied minors who have been crossing our southwestern border of the United States. The children are largely coming from countries such as: Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, and Guatemala. Apparently they are fleeing an epidemic of gang violence in their home countries. Sure, there is always a possibility of those fleeing with other motives, however the journey into our country by all these immigrants is long one and all too dangerous one. There is no question that an El Paso immigration attorney will have cases piling up which are related to this recent surge of unaccompanied minors. It is effecting almost everyone in law enforcement including ICE and Border Patrol, as well as humanitarian efforts made by local non-profit organizations. As these various government agencies work together to control and process the “humanitarian crisis”, a flow of five distinct steps are involved. This would include:
Step 1 – Each child is identified and undergoes an initial health screening. Removal proceedings begin.
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Step 2 – Health and Human Services (HHS) provides a further medical
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check, immunizations, and shelter assignment.
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Step 3 – DHS transports each child to an assigned HHS – or temporary
shelter.
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Step 4 – Each child stays at the HHS shelter until a sponsor is identified.
Step 5 – Each child is placed with a relative or other sponsor until the immigration case is resolved.
Contacting an El Paso immigration attorney can help answer additional questions you may have related to the influx of undocumented children, especially if you believe to have relatives who have been identified.
If you are interested and would like more information on an El Paso immigration attorney, then contact the law office of Cynthia R. Lopez today at (915) 996-9070 or stop by our office currently located at 915 Huckleberry El Paso, Texas 79903.
