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The Plight of Youth Held At The Border: A Comprehensive Examination

Wayne Carter

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Published in Youth Held At The Border: Immigration Education And The Politics Of Inclusion (0)

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The detention of youth at the border has become a pressing humanitarian crisis, raising profound ethical, legal, and human rights concerns. Every year, thousands of unaccompanied children and families seeking asylum at the United States-Mexico border are apprehended and placed in detention centers, often for extended periods of time. These facilities are often overcrowded, unsanitary, and lack adequate healthcare and educational services. The conditions under which these youth are held have been widely condemned by human rights groups and child advocates, who have called for an end to the practice of detaining children.

Youth Held at the Border: Immigration, Education, and the Politics of Inclusion (0)

by Lisa (Leigh) Patel

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Legal Implications

The detention of youth at the border raises a number of legal concerns. Under international law, children have the right to be treated with humanity and respect, and to be protected from arbitrary detention. The United States government is obligated to uphold these rights, both under domestic law and under its international commitments.

In 1997, the United States Congress passed the Flores Settlement Agreement, which established minimum standards for the treatment and release of children in detention. The Flores Agreement requires that children be held in licensed facilities, that they be given access to legal counsel, and that they be released from detention as soon as possible. However, the Trump administration has repeatedly violated the Flores Agreement, leading to a surge in the number of children held in detention and an increase in the length of time they are held.

Ethical Concerns

The detention of youth at the border also raises a number of ethical concerns. Detaining children in prison-like conditions is inherently harmful, and it can have a lasting negative impact on their physical and mental health. Children who have been detained are more likely to experience post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. They are also more likely to fall behind in school and to drop out.

In addition, the detention of youth at the border sends a message that these children are not welcome in the United States. This can lead to discrimination and xenophobia, and it can make it difficult for these children to integrate into American society.

Humanitarian Crisis

The detention of youth at the border has reached a humanitarian crisis. In 2019, over 76,000 unaccompanied children were apprehended at the border, the highest number in over a decade. These children are often fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries, and they are seeking asylum in the United States. However, they are often met with hostility and indifference, and they are often detained in inhumane conditions.

The conditions in many border detention centers are deplorable. Children are often held in overcrowded cells, with inadequate food, water, and sanitation. They are often denied access to medical care and legal counsel, and they are sometimes subjected to physical and verbal abuse. These conditions are a violation of human rights, and they are a stain on the United States' reputation as a nation of immigrants.

Urgent Action Needed

The United States government must take urgent action to address the humanitarian crisis at the border. This includes ending the practice of detaining children, providing humane treatment to those who are in detention, and increasing the number of asylum officers and judges to process immigration cases more quickly. The government must also work to address the root causes of migration from Central America, such as poverty, violence, and climate change.

In addition, the United States must work with other countries in the region to create a more humane and orderly immigration system. This includes providing asylum to those who are fleeing persecution, and working to ensure that children are not forced to make dangerous journeys to the United States.

The detention of youth at the border is a violation of human rights and a humanitarian crisis. The United States government must take urgent action to address this issue and to ensure that all children are treated with humanity and respect.

Youth Held at the Border: Immigration, Education, and the Politics of Inclusion (0)

by Lisa (Leigh) Patel

4.6 out of 5