Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas is praising a special task force’s work in the reunification of more than 500 children separated from their families at the United States-Mexico border under the Trump administration.
Mayorkas said the children were separated from their families under the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” policy, according to an Oct. 7 Department of Homeland Security news release.
“This is a significant milestone that reflects the tireless dedication of the many public servants in the Department of Homeland Security and across the federal government, including those in the Departments of Health and Human Services, State and Justice,” Mayorkas said in the release. “It is a milestone that we could not have achieved without the partnership and critical work of several incredibly committed non-governmental organizations.”
Homeland Security and the task force are pleased with the recent reunification but realize the work is incomplete, Mayorkas said in the release.
“Nearly 200 children are currently in the process of being reunified with their parents,” Mayorkas said, according to the release. “The Task Force, through its partners, also continues to identify and engage families who were separated to ensure they are aware of the reunification process and the support the Task Force has arranged. This support includes critically needed behavioral health services to assist the families in addressing the trauma they have suffered.”
Mayorkas said they will continue to "work tirelessly to deliver of President Biden's commitment to reunite children separated from their families at the United States-Mexico border," the release reported.
