Government Watchdog: Separated Migrant Children Suffer Severe Trauma

Government Watchdog: Separated Migrant Children Suffer Severe Trauma

Many migrant children separated from their parents by the Trump administration’s “zero tolerance” policy experienced severe mental trauma, according to a new report by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General. Separated children “exhibited more fear, feelings of abandonment, and post-traumatic stress” than children who were not separated.

The Trump Administration continues to separate migrant children from their families at the southern border, claims the ACLU, despite a year-old court order forbidding the practice. There is an exception when parents pose a risk to their children, and Customs and Border Protection has abused that carve-out, separating nearly 1000 children from families over petty offenses or subjective and contrived reasons, says the ACLU in court filings. After CBP separates families, the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement becomes responsible for child welfare, hence the IG report.

More:

“‘Can’t feel my heart:’ IG says separated kids traumatized,” Colleen Long, Martha Mendoza, and Garance Burke, Associated Press

“Government watchdog details severe trauma suffered by separated children,” Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill

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