Kids In Shipping Containers: True Stories of Migrant Kids Held In The U.S.
A Harrowing Reality
In the United States, the detention of migrant children in shipping containers has been a controversial practice for many years. These containers are often overcrowded, unsanitary, and lack basic amenities, posing serious health and safety risks to the children held within them. The use of shipping containers for this purpose has been condemned by human rights groups and medical professionals alike, who have called for an end to this inhumane practice.
Real Life Examples
In May 2019, a group of lawyers visited a Border Patrol facility in Clint, Texas, where they found children as young as three years old being held in overcrowded and unsanitary shipping containers. The children were reportedly denied access to basic necessities such as soap, toothbrushes, and clean clothes, and they were forced to sleep on concrete floors with only thin blankets.
In July 2019, the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Inspector General released a report that found that children were being held in shipping containers at Border Patrol facilities in Texas and Arizona for extended periods of time, in some cases for more than 24 hours. The report also found that the children were not being provided with adequate food, water, or medical care.
The Physical and Mental Toll
The conditions inside shipping containers can be extremely harmful to children, both physically and mentally. The lack of ventilation, overcrowding, and unsanitary conditions can lead to respiratory problems, skin infections, and other health issues. The children are also at risk of developing psychological problems, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
A Call to Action
The detention of migrant children in shipping containers is a cruel and inhumane practice that has no place in a civilized society. These children are vulnerable and deserve to be treated with compassion and respect. The United States government must end the use of shipping containers for the detention of children and find more humane and appropriate ways to care for these vulnerable individuals.
References:
- Kids Held In 'Cages' At Border Patrol Stations Face Health Risks
- US: Children Held in 'Cages' at Border Patrol Facilities
- Office of Inspector General: Review of Family Residential Centers and Child Welfare Standards
