The spike comes after U.S. President Joe Biden's government, citing humanitarian reasons, said in early February it would not rapidly expel unaccompanied minors, a policy shift from the previous administration. A White House spokesperson said last month that Biden's approach was to deal with immigration "comprehensively, fairly and humanely" and not to expel unaccompanied children who arrive at U.S. borders. A FAMILY BUSINESSMany children that the U.S. government classifies as "unaccompanied" actually travel with other family members – cousins, uncles, or older siblings. Guatemalans make up the largest group of unaccompanied minors, CBP data shows. DIRECT BY PLANEIn 2019, smugglers sped up trips to the U.S. border by transporting unaccompanied minors from Central America on express buses.

Source: The Star March 23, 2021 19:40 UTC