UNITED STATES — The U.S. agency that oversees the care and release of minors, the Office of Refugee Resettlement, has announced new guidance allowing unaccompanied migrant children in U.S. shelters to have at least 50-minute phone calls from Monday to Friday with parents or other relatives anywhere in the U.S. or foreign countries.
Previously, minors were only allowed two 10-minute phone calls twice a week. Advocates for children's rights have hailed the move as a critical step towards ensuring the safety and well-being of the unaccompanied minors who are under the custody of the U.S. government until they are released to their relatives in the country.
The new guidance also requires at least 45-minute calls on holidays, weekends, and the child's birthday, with unlimited calls available during emergencies or in cases of mental health crises.
There are almost 6,000 unaccompanied minors in U.S. custody, with more than 80% having a family member in the United States, according to daily reports released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Homeland Security.
Share Your Thoughts