DHS Secretary: Border is Closed But Children Won't Be Expelled

Article author: 
Jack Phillips and Charlotte Cuthbertson
Article publisher: 
the Epoch Times
Article date: 
Sunday, March 21, 2021
Article category: 
National Issues
Medium
Article Body: 

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the U.S.–Mexico border is closed, although unaccompanied children who unlawfully cross into the United States won’t be turned back.

“We are expelling families. We are expelling single adults. And we’ve made a decision that we will not expel young, vulnerable children. I think we are executing on our plans​,” Mayorkas told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” on March 21.​

Mayorkas was then asked by Chuck Todd, the host, about whether the policy encourages parents in Mexico and other countries to send their children alone to the border.

“We have a short-term plan, a medium-term plan, and a long-term plan, and the president and I have spoken to this repeatedly. Please remember something: That ​President ​[Donald] ​Trump dismantled the orderly, humane, and efficient way of allowing children to make their claims under United States law in their home countries​,” the secretary said, without elaborating. . .