May 5, 2022
This statement highlights several actions that can be taken immediately to ensure safe and appropriate treatment of unaccompanied children and uphold children’s rights and protection while maximizing processing efficiencies and government resources. These recommendations include the hiring of child welfare professionals to oversee care and screening of children at the border; the co-location of HHS professionals in CBP facilities to expedite safe reunifications of children with family members; and the provision of legal counsel and post-release services for unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings.
