City
Epaper

Texas Guv slams federal policy on migrant kids

By IANS | Updated: March 18, 2021 12:15 IST

Houston, March 18 Texas Governor Greg Abbott has criticised the US government's "reckless" policy on migrant children arriving ...

Open in App

Houston, March 18 Texas Governor Greg Abbott has criticised the US government's "reckless" policy on migrant children arriving at the border between the state and Mexico, saying, that it was "enriching the cartels, smugglers, and human traffickers who often prey on and abuse unaccompanied minors".

"The (US President Joe) Biden administration opened the floodgates to any child who wants to come across the border is going to be able to come across the border," Abbott said on Wednesday across the street from the Dallas convention centre that is being converted into a temporary shelter for migrant children by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

"And I know from what's going on, on the ground, they were completely ill prepared for this," Abbott added, calling the increase of unaccompanied children arriving at the Texas border a "humanitarian crisis".

Abbott also expected the number of migrants arriving at the border to increase in the short term, Xinhua news agency reported.

"The number of children you see have come across the border already is going to be a tiny fraction of what we will see in the coming months," the Governor said.

"Texas is willing to step up and help out, but this is the Biden's administration responsibility."

Also on Wednesday, Abbott announced the expansion of 'Operation Lone Star' to include efforts to crack down on human trafficking related to illegal border crossings.

As part of this expansion, the state's Department of Public Safety (DPS) troopers and agents, as well as the Texas Rangers, will conduct interviews with unaccompanied minors who crossed the border to identify victims of human trafficking and gain actionable intelligence that will aid in the arrest of traffickers, according to a statement issued by his office.

'Operation Lone Star' was launched to help secure the border and combat the smuggling of people and drugs in Texas.

There are currently 1,000 DPS troopers, agents, and rangers who are engaged in the mission.

In a report, The Texas Tribune said that more than 100,000 people were either apprehended by or surrendered to federal immigration officials on the US-Mexico border in February.

Around one of every 10 undocumented migrants that immigration officials encountered in February was an unaccompanied minor, a 62 per cent increase from January.

According to The Washington Post, the Biden administration is holding more than 4,200 teenagers and younger children in detention cells along the border designed for adults.

( With inputs from IANS )

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Tags: XinhuaHoustonDallasGreg AbbottDisaster management authorityFederal emergency management agencyGreg abbotNatural disaster management authorityDistrict disaster management authorities
Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalDallas Shooting: 4 Students Injured After Firing at Wilmer-Hutchins High School in Texas, Suspect at Large

Social ViralNaked Woman on Plane: Southwest Airlines Flight From Houston to Phoenix Delayed After Passenger Strips, Bangs Cockpit Door; Video Emerges

EntertainmentRam Charan Welcomed by Over 10,000 Fans in Dallas at Historic 'Game Changer' Pre-Release Event (Watch Video)

EntertainmentRam Charan Film ‘Game Changer’ to Kick Off with a Grand Gala Event in USA

InternationalTexas Helicopter Crash Update: 4, Including Child, Killed After Chopper Crashes Into Cell Tower in Houston (Watch Video)

International Realted Stories

InternationalWill continue offering full support to Indian govt: Kash Patel on Pahalgam attack

InternationalEurasia Review says Munir's recklessness is dismantling Pakistan

InternationalSouth Korean firms struggle with uncertainties from Trump's trade policy

InternationalGlobal leaders call upon PM Modi, condemn Pahalgam terror attack, offer support to India

International56 Awami League, affiliate leaders arrested in Dhaka for carrying out flash processions