The Washington Post recently reported on the possibility of migrant children being housed on military bases.
Two bases in Texas have been identified to house those who have been detained for illegally crossing or attempting to cross the border into the United States. NPR reported that Secretary of Defense James Mattis stated that tent camps at two bases are being considered. In a press conference following his visit to Fort Greely in Alaska, Secretary Mattis identified the two bases as Goodfellow Air Force Base and Fort Bliss, both of which are near the Texas border.
“We’ll provide whatever support the Department of Homeland Security needs in order to house the people that they have under their custody,” he said when asked about immigration.
Speaking of the role that the military plays in supporting operations here at home, he said “Providing housing, shelter for those who need it, is a legitimate governmental function. This one I recognize the political aspects of it, but for us it’s a logistics support effort.”
CBS News reported that the request to the Pentagon is specifically for unaccompanied minor children, not those separated from their parents upon being detained.
An official press release or news statement has not been issued by the Department of Defense.
The Immigration Debate
This comes after President Trump’s zero-tolerance policy has been criticized by U.S. and international leaders for separating children from their families who entered the United States illegally. President Trump signed an Executive Order on June 20th to prevent further separation of minor children from their parents. In the Order, importance is given to “maintain family unity, including by detaining alien families together where appropriate and consistent with law and available resources.”
The available resources to keep these families together, as well as house unaccompanied minor children, could be right there on military bases near the border.
Military bases have been used before to provide shelter and resources for undocumented children. CBS News reported that a similar solution was used by then-President Barack Obama in 2014.
The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for the care of unaccompanied minor children and those separated from their parents. In a press release dated June 23, HHS has “2,053 separated minors being cared for in HHS funded facilities” as of June 20. The statement goes on to note that “currently only 17% of minors in HHS funded facilities were placed there as a result of Zero Tolerance enforcement, and the remaining 83% arrived to the United States without a parent or guardian.”
HHS would remain responsible for the care and facilities for children in their care, regardless of where those facilities were located. Within the HHS, the Office of Refugee Resettlement ensures that the children are being cared for and a permanent solution for their welfare is being pursued. While on a military base, the Department of Defense would be acting as a landlord, with care and administration remaining with HHS.
Adults detained for crossing or attempting to cross the border into the United States illegally are handled through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Complex coordination between these government organizations is key to ensuring each case is handled appropriately.
According to Secretary Mattis, the Pentagon’s priority is to support by providing space and facilities, without making a political statement on the President’s policies or immigration reform. It is clear a lot of work and coordination remains, but for now, two bases in Texas may be an important step in providing safety and security for unaccompanied children.