Faces in the Cages — How US Policies Shaped the US-Mexico Border Crisis

This appeared in The Millennial Source

Images of the children, separated from their parents and huddled in detention center cages at the US-Mexico border, have shocked the world. Verified reports of these children being denied basic necessities like blankets, soap and toothbrushes have escalated the global outcry. And detained adults are not faring any better, as recently released photos and videos show.

The current humanitarian emergency at the US southern border has grown out of a long, complex history. Even if the deeply divided US government came together in a determined effort to resolve the underlying problems, doing so would take time.

But as children continue to grow sick and even die in custody, and people of all ages endure undeniably inhumane conditions, the need for immediate action is clear.

Basic facts about the people being held in US border facilities

As of July 2019, there were over 80,000 men, women and children in detention at the US southern border. So who are they, and where did they come from?

Contrary to President Trump’s infamous remarks when he announced his presidential candidacy in 2015, most people…