Pentagon asked to house up to 20,000 migrant children at military bases
By Ellen Mitchell - 06/21/18 03:42 PM EDT
The Trump administration may place up to 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children on military bases starting as early as next month, according to a new Pentagon memo.
The notification, sent to lawmakers on Wednesday and first reported by The Washington Post, states that the Defense Department has received a request for assistance from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
“HHS has requested DOD determine its capabilities to provide up to 20,000 temporary beds for unaccompanied children at DOD installations,†the document states.
If the Pentagon finds that it can provide such lodging, “the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) requests the facilities be available for occupancy as early as July through December 31, 2018.â€
Defense Secretary James Mattis on Wednesday said the military would house immigrant children if asked by the administration.
“We’ll see what they come in with. We support DHS, and right now this is their lead, and we’ll respond if requested,†Mattis told reporters outside the Pentagon.
Mattis spoke just before President Trump signed an executive order intended to end family separations at the U.S. southern border, attempting to staunch controversy over the administration's “zero-tolerance†policy on illegal immigration.
Announced in April, the policy has led to an estimated 2,000 children being separated from their adult guardians and placed in detention centers while the adults await prosecution for illegally crossing the border.
http://thehill.com/policy/defense/393531-pentagon-asked-to-house-up-to-20000-migrant-children-at-military-bases