A lack of coordination between government agencies has led to weeks of confusion and swelling numbers of children at risk of being stranded in American foster care, thousands of miles from their parents.
Families Divided
President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy drew sharp rebukes after it was announced in April 2018 — especially after children who had been separated from their parents started being placed in a tent city in Tornillo. Trump signed an executive order June 20 that would keep immigrant families together, but it’s unclear how — or if — families that have already been separated will be reunited. With support from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, The Texas Tribune has been reporting on the issue from the Texas-Mexico border, Washington, D.C., and Austin. You can help by sending story tips to tips@texastribune.org.
Posted in
Families Divided
Congressmen Beto O’Rourke, Joaquin Castro visit tent camp for immigrant children near El Paso
Joined by a senator from New Mexico, the two Texas congressmen got a short tour of the detention camp and said nearly 300 minors are there, including some whose parents have been deported to their home countries.
Posted in
Families Divided
No “zero tolerance” for migrant families released in McAllen
As confusion swirls about the president’s executive order to end family separations, undocumented immigrants with children continue to be apprehended in the Rio Grande Valley. But instead of being detained, some are being released from federal custody with ankle monitors.
Posted in
Families Divided
Arguments, confusion, second-guessing: Inside Trump’s reversal on separating migrant families
Under increasing public pressure, the president issued an executive order aimed at ending family separations at the border. But the federal agencies tasked with carrying out that order had different interpretations of what it really said.
Posted in
Families Divided
Everything we know about Texas-regulated facilities holding migrant children: violations, numbers and more
Many of the thousands of children separated from their parents at the southern border under a Trump administration “zero-tolerance” policy will end up in a Texas facility with a long history health and safety deficiencies.
Posted in
Families Divided
Family separation crisis takes center stage at Texas Democratic convention
The family separations crisis quickly emerged as the top issue at the state Democratic biennial convention, fueling anger and enthusiasm as the minority party charges into a general election season determined to push back against Trump and his GOP allies in Texas.
Posted in
Families Divided
Legal aid group trying to help immigrant children detained in Tornillo find their families
At the week-old immigration detention center for minors at the Tornillo port of entry near El Paso, a legal aid group is trying to reconnect parents and children because the government’s system for doing so “is a bit of a nightmarish process.”
Posted in
Families Divided
“Not knowing anything about my daughter is torture.” Immigrant parents describe being without their children.
Three Central American immigrant detainees have sued the government to be reunited with their children. On Friday, they sent handwritten notes to the court pleading for information about them.
Posted in
Families Divided
Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn tour shelters housing immigrant children separated from families
The state’s Republican senators reaffirmed their commitment to keeping kids with their parents after they cross the border — so long as future immigration policy better deters people from entering the country illegally.
Posted in
Families Divided
With charges dropped against some parents who crossed the border with families, is “zero tolerance” still in effect?
The Trump administration says there is still “zero tolerance” for anyone who crosses the border illegally. But the top federal prosecutor in one of Texas’ busiest border districts has dropped charges against immigrants who arrived with their families.