In the U.S., beginning October 1, 2017 to may 31 of this year, more than 2.7 thousand children were temporarily separated from their parents who are illegal immigrants. Of these, nearly 2 thousand minors were separated from their families only in the last two weeks. Moreover, according to human rights activists, the staff of ICE is often resorted to deceptionin order to pick up illegal immigrants of their children.
The policy of «zero tolerance» against migrants in recent months is one of the most discussed topics within American society. The next wave of scandals came up when the US government began actively to apply the new procedure in relation to illegal immigrants with children. These families began to split, sending parents to jail, while their children are transferred to specialized centers.
Miguel Nogueresworking Federal public defender in the state of Texas, says that he received dozens of complaints from immigration detainees. This applies mainly to the splitting of the family. People say that the ICE staff not informed them about his intention to seize the child, and doing it fraudulently.
As an example, he cited cases where law enforcement authorities have argued that children going to take to the doctor or taking a shower. Parents only a few hours later realized that they were deceived. Loved ones in such cases are not even allowed to say goodbye, and supposedly leave in uncertainty regarding the future of the child. ICE also refuses to tell the parents where they took their children.
«Every day we hear that families share, by resorting to such dastardly tricks. Of course, some are telling the truth. However, many people say that children are sent to rest, swim, or sleep … little liesto make it easier to pick up the child. Often parents find out about the deception only when meeting with us,» says Nogueras.
Manual ICE denies these facts and says that parents mandatory to inform about the place of children. Also, they should be given the opportunity to occasionally interact with minors.
«ICE is committed to maintaining the relationship between members of these families after their separation that the parents knew about the location of their children and could communicate with them, in accordance with policies and detention standards» — commented Danny Bennett, press Secretary for ICE.
