Recently, as several countries opened up their borders for refugees from Afghanistan and other war-struck countries, concerns of the safety of immigrants rose.

The US has been welcoming thousands of immigrants, but recent reports have alleged that immigrant children are being ill-treated in shelters.

A recent report in a local media house, Buzzfeed News, alleged that immigrant children who have been housed at an emergency shelter were burned after they were asked to bath in scalding water. It also alleges that these kids were having their blood drawn without any explanation and are also being threatened with deportation if they refuse to do as instructed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-200-indigenous-children-went-missing-or-died-after-entering-a-hospital-in-quebec-411863">At least 200 indigenous children went missing or died in Canada</a>

This complaint has been lodged by a whistleblower, and is third such complaint filed in the recent past about the same shelter located in Fort Bliss, which is an army base near El Paso, Texas.

This shelter houses thousands of immigrant children who are being harboured in this shelter since they arrived in the US without their parents. While the shelter is taken care of by experts of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the base has been infamous for inhumane living conditions.

A few months ago, the same shelter was called out for rising Covid cases as whistleblowers alleged that the contractors and caretakers were practising inhumane ways of taking care of these children.

After the report, a HHS spokesperson said the incident was ‘old’ and had already been taken care of and the HHS is making sure children are safe and happy.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suicide-is-still-a-crime-in-at-least-20-countries-worldwide-research-411901">Suicide is still a crime in at least 20 countries worldwide: Research</a>

"In the aftermath of our disclosures, HHS asserts that the fundamental failures our clients identified are 'old' and have been 'fixed,'" the whistleblower report states. "To the contrary, the problems are ongoing, systemic, and repeated...with tragic consequences. It is true these are old issues; it is not true they have been fixed."

The whistleblower claimed many children in the shelter are suffering from dehydration, possible gas leak environment, gastrointestinal issues and more due to the inhumane living conditions. The person also alleged that girls were being asked to shower in the presence of male staffers who had busied themselves in lice removal process of other students.

It has also been alleged that only two out of twenty people from the mental health team are licensed and trained to perform the work. Many children have also claimed that they have not been able to get in contact with their case managers since they have arrived at the shelter.

Recently, as several countries opened up their borders for refugees from Afghanistan and other war-struck countries, concerns of the safety of immigrants rose. The US has been welcoming thousands of immigrants, but recent reports have alleged that immigrant children are being ill-treated in shelters.

Recently, as several countries opened up their borders for refugees from Afghanistan and other war-struck countries, concerns of the safety of immigrants rose. The US has been welcoming thousands of immigrants, but recent reports have alleged that immigrant children are being ill-treated in shelters. A recent report in a local media house, Buzzfeed News, alleged that immigrant children who have been housed at an emergency shelter were burned after they were asked to bath in scalding water. It also alleges that these kids were having their blood drawn without any explanation and are also being threatened with deportation if they refuse to do as instructed. Also read | At least 200 indigenous children went missing or died in Canada This complaint has been lodged by a whistleblower, and is third such complaint filed in the recent past about the same shelter located in Fort Bliss, which is an army base near El Paso, Texas. This shelter houses thousands of immigrant children who are being harboured in this shelter since they arrived in the US without their parents. While the shelter is taken care of by experts of Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the base has been infamous for inhumane living conditions. A few months ago, the same shelter was called out for rising Covid cases as whistleblowers alleged that the contractors and caretakers were practising inhumane ways of taking care of these children. After the report, a HHS spokesperson said the incident was ‘old’ and had already been taken care of and the HHS is making sure children are safe and happy. Also read | Suicide is still a crime in at least 20 countries worldwide: Research "In the aftermath of our disclosures, HHS asserts that the fundamental failures our clients identified are 'old' and have been 'fixed,'" the whistleblower report states. "To the contrary, the problems are ongoing, systemic, and repeated...with tragic consequences. It is true these are old issues; it is not true they have been fixed." The whistleblower claimed many children in the shelter are suffering from dehydration, possible gas leak environment, gastrointestinal issues and more due to the inhumane living conditions. The person also alleged that girls were being asked to shower in the presence of male staffers who had busied themselves in lice removal process of other students. It has also been alleged that only two out of twenty people from the mental health team are licensed and trained to perform the work. Many children have also claimed that they have not been able to get in contact with their case managers since they have arrived at the shelter.

Immigrant children burned by scalding water and threatened in US' emergency shelter: Reports

The US government may have separated "thousands" more immigrant children from their parents than previously known but inadequate record-keeping means the exact number is still unclear, an internal watchdog said on Wednesday.

The Office of Inspector General at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the agency had identified many more children in addition to the 2,737 that were included as part of a class action lawsuit challenging the separations brought by the American Civil Liberties Union last year.

The administration of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/rigging-polls-was-at-the-direction-sole-benefit-of-trump-ex-lawyer-michael-cohen-191059">President Donald Trump</a> implemented a 'zero tolerance' policy to criminally prosecute and jail all illegal border crossers even those travelling with their children, leading to a wave of separations last year.

But the auditor said in a report that prior to the officially announced policy the government had ramped up separations for other reasons related to a child's safety and well-being, including separating parents with criminal records or lack of proper documents. Those separations were only tracked informally, making it impossible for the auditor to know the exact number.

The policy sparked outrage when it became public, and the backlash led Trump to sign an executive order reversing course on June 20.

But separations have continued since then, the report said. HHS, which runs the Office of Refugee Resettlement that is responsible for the children's care, told the auditor that at least 118 had been separated between July 1 and November 7, 2018.

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that 65 of those 118 children were separated because the parents had a criminal history but in some cases the agency did not provide the details of that history.

DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report's findings.

The auditor raised concerns that the government is still not adequately counting separation cases.

"It is not yet clear whether recent changes to ORR's systems and processes are sufficient to ensure consistent and accurate data about separated children," the report said.

The US government may have separated "thousands" more immigrant children from their parents than previously known but inadequate record-keeping means the exact number is still unclear, an internal watchdog said on Wednesday.

The US government may have separated "thousands" more immigrant children from their parents than previously known but inadequate record-keeping means the exact number is still unclear, an internal watchdog said on Wednesday. The Office of Inspector General at the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said the agency had identified many more children in addition to the 2,737 that were included as part of a class action lawsuit challenging the separations brought by the American Civil Liberties Union last year. The administration of President Donald Trump implemented a 'zero tolerance' policy to criminally prosecute and jail all illegal border crossers even those travelling with their children, leading to a wave of separations last year. But the auditor said in a report that prior to the officially announced policy the government had ramped up separations for other reasons related to a child's safety and well-being, including separating parents with criminal records or lack of proper documents. Those separations were only tracked informally, making it impossible for the auditor to know the exact number. The policy sparked outrage when it became public, and the backlash led Trump to sign an executive order reversing course on June 20. But separations have continued since then, the report said. HHS, which runs the Office of Refugee Resettlement that is responsible for the children's care, told the auditor that at least 118 had been separated between July 1 and November 7, 2018. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said that 65 of those 118 children were separated because the parents had a criminal history but in some cases the agency did not provide the details of that history. DHS did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the report's findings. The auditor raised concerns that the government is still not adequately counting separation cases. "It is not yet clear whether recent changes to ORR's systems and processes are sufficient to ensure consistent and accurate data about separated children," the report said.

US separated 'thousands' more immigrant children: Watchdog

The United States government couldn't account for nearly 1,500 immigrant children in 2018, However, the federal government believes that it is not 'legally responsible'.

Steven Wagner, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services, disclosed the number to a Senate subcommittee last month, CNN reported.

Wagner is the acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. ORR is a program of the Administration for Children and Families.

In his testimony, Wagner said that during the last three months of 2017, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) lost track of nearly 1,500 immigrant children it had placed in the homes of sponsors.

He also said that the Department of Homeland Security referred more than 40,000 immigrant children to the ORR during the 2017 fiscal year.

However, Wagner said that the Department of Health and Human Services is not responsible for the children.

"I understand that it has been HHS's long-standing interpretation of the law that ORR is not legally responsible for children after they are released from ORR care," CNN quoted Wagner as saying.

The office is "taking a fresh look at that question," he added.

Between October and December 2017, Wagner told the subcommittee, the ORR reached out to 7,635 unaccompanied children to check on them. But the ORR "was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 children," Wagner testified. An additional 28 had run away.

Meanwhile, Wagner's statement has received increased scrutiny a month after the Department of Homeland Security defended an agency policy that will result in more families being separated at the border.

A request for comment from HHS on Saturday has not been returned. 
&nbsp

Steven Wagner, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services, disclosed the number to a Senate subcommittee last month

The United States government couldn't account for nearly 1,500 immigrant children in 2018, However, the federal government believes that it is not 'legally responsible'. Steven Wagner, a top official with the Department of Health and Human Services, disclosed the number to a Senate subcommittee last month, CNN reported. Wagner is the acting assistant secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services. ORR is a program of the Administration for Children and Families. In his testimony, Wagner said that during the last three months of 2017, the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) lost track of nearly 1,500 immigrant children it had placed in the homes of sponsors. He also said that the Department of Homeland Security referred more than 40,000 immigrant children to the ORR during the 2017 fiscal year. However, Wagner said that the Department of Health and Human Services is not responsible for the children. "I understand that it has been HHS's long-standing interpretation of the law that ORR is not legally responsible for children after they are released from ORR care," CNN quoted Wagner as saying. The office is "taking a fresh look at that question," he added. Between October and December 2017, Wagner told the subcommittee, the ORR reached out to 7,635 unaccompanied children to check on them. But the ORR "was unable to determine with certainty the whereabouts of 1,475 children," Wagner testified. An additional 28 had run away. Meanwhile, Wagner's statement has received increased scrutiny a month after the Department of Homeland Security defended an agency policy that will result in more families being separated at the border. A request for comment from HHS on Saturday has not been returned.

US loses track of 1500 immigrant children, says not its responsibility

United States president Donald Trump has said on Sunday that a scheme protecting immigrants brought to the US illegally as children is &quot;probably dead.&quot;

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the programme that protects certain illegal immigrants from being deported, is now being slammed by the Democrats, saying they don&#39;t&nbsp;want it.

&quot;DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don&#39;t really want it, they just want to talk and take desperately needed money away from our Military,&quot; Trump said on Twitter.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don&rsquo;t really want it, they just want to talk and take desperately needed money away from our Military.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/952528011869478912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&quot;I, as President, want people coming into our Country who are going to help us become strong and great again, people coming in through a system based on Merit. No more Lotteries! America First,&quot; he further wrote on his Twitter handle.

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I, as President, want people coming into our Country who are going to help us become strong and great again, people coming in through a system based on MERIT. No more Lotteries! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AMERICA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AMERICA</a> FIRST
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/952530515894169601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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The tweet comes as the Trump administration has resumed accepting DACA renewal requests as a result of a federal court order.

The Republicans and Democrats were already having clashes over funding the government after recent negotiations became tough as Democrats - whose votes are required to pass a government - urged immigration be included.&nbsp;

The fund expires on Friday night with no final deal in place.&nbsp;

The latest ruling comes at a time when Trump is advocating against the illegal migrants living in the US and is lobbying to build a border, along the US-Mexico border to stop its infiltration.

Trump had announced in September that he would repeal the programme, which allows certain immigrants who arrived in the US illegally as children, to stay and work without fear of being deported.

'DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don't really want it, they just want to talk and take desperately needed money away from our Military,' Trump said on Twitter.

United States president Donald Trump has said on Sunday that a scheme protecting immigrants brought to the US illegally as children is "probably dead." Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), the programme that protects certain illegal immigrants from being deported, is now being slammed by the Democrats, saying they don't want it. "DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don't really want it, they just want to talk and take desperately needed money away from our Military," Trump said on Twitter. DACA is probably dead because the Democrats don’t really want it, they just want to talk and take desperately needed money away from our Military. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 × "I, as President, want people coming into our Country who are going to help us become strong and great again, people coming in through a system based on Merit. No more Lotteries! America First," he further wrote on his Twitter handle. I, as President, want people coming into our Country who are going to help us become strong and great again, people coming in through a system based on MERIT. No more Lotteries! #AMERICA FIRST — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 14, 2018 × The tweet comes as the Trump administration has resumed accepting DACA renewal requests as a result of a federal court order. The Republicans and Democrats were already having clashes over funding the government after recent negotiations became tough as Democrats - whose votes are required to pass a government - urged immigration be included. The fund expires on Friday night with no final deal in place. The latest ruling comes at a time when Trump is advocating against the illegal migrants living in the US and is lobbying to build a border, along the US-Mexico border to stop its infiltration. Trump had announced in September that he would repeal the programme, which allows certain immigrants who arrived in the US illegally as children, to stay and work without fear of being deported.

Programme protecting immigrant children 'probably dead': Trump

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