(PNS) As reports of inhumane conditions in child detention facilities near the United States-Mexico border surfaced over the weekend, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) staff working on immigration and asylum issues, like many observers, were shocked and saddened.
But they are also disturbed by how these latest stories fit into a longer trend.
“Our government is definitely not living up to its obligations under the law,” says Susan Krehbiel, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s (PDA) Associate for Refugees and Asylum. “What’s shocking to me is the continued deterioration of conditions.
“They can’t claim they were caught off guard. There have been situations like this before. The fact that they’re worsening is upsetting.”
Last week, a group of attorneys visiting detention facilities to monitor conditions took the unusual step of going to the media with accounts of what they saw, particularly at a facility in Clint, Texas, because they were so horrified.
They encountered an overcrowded facility with children caring for children, many not bathed, in soiled clothes, and sick. Cases of influenza and lice were reported, with many children forced to sleep on cold concrete floors and being fed a steady diet of instant and frozen foods.
“Abuses in these detention centers aren’t new,” says Teresa Waggener, manager for Legal Resources in the Office of Immigration Issues. “Backed up toilets, frozen food, mylar blankets, documents tossed, lost passports, and the list goes on.”
Dovetailing with the deteriorating conditions is another disturbing trend, say Krehbiel and Amanda Craft, manager for Advocacy in the Office of Immigration Issues.
“Historically, in situations like this, the government officials have tried to make excuses,” Krehbiel says. “Now, they are saying we don’t have to meet basic standards.”
She points to a court case last week in which Justice Department attorneys argued that the government did not need to provide toothbrushes, soap, towels, and adequate sleeping accommodations to detained migrant children. In Congress, a bill introduced by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), sought to “eliminate protections for children and victims of human trafficking, dismantle the U.S. asylum system, and further reduce refugee admissions,” according to an action alert from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness.
“As we face the worst refugee crisis in history,” the alert states, “the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) believes Presbyterians have a moral obligation to advocate for the entry and integration of the refugees in the United States, and to resist anti-refugee actions and policies.”
According to Waggener, “A great part of our ministry and PDA’s ministry every day is just insisting that these are people.”
Making that point to lawmakers, and insisting that existing laws pertaining to asylum seekers, care for children and detainees and other immigration issues are followed, is the most important thing people can do to respond to these latest reports, PC(USA) staff say.
