The Trump Administration Is Detaining More Immigrant Children Than We Thought, and They Aren’t Being Released

The amount of children being detained by the US is at a record high, per CNN. The source who confirmed that information was never cleared to do so. They tell CNN that the number of children being held in 2016 was 9,000 and is currently over 12,000. Apparently, this is due to a significant decrease in releases combined with an increase in length of detention.

The White House would have the public believe that this wasn’t the case, as it said it would bring an end to family separation, but it’s clear that their story simply isn’t true. There have even been accusations of holding children until they turn 18, at which point they are considered adults by law and thus susceptible to stricter regulations. At one point, a federal judge was forced to step in to stop the detention program director from requiring his sign-off on discharges.

Xenophobia from the government only harbors distrust and hatred for itself. It’s a disgusting move and, frankly, a poorly conceived one. More children detained and put under the government’s care—if it can be called that—means more financial reallocation from organizations that are actually necessary, like the already struggling FEMA, EPA or perhaps anything else. Just this week, Trump skimmed funds from these organizations to reinforce ICE. It’s idiotic.

Trump’s administration falsely believes that immigrants arrive in the US with malicious intent—but they’re only creating the problem they fear.