by Mary Ann Baron

I recently read in The New York Times that hundreds of migrant children have been relocated from their present homes to a tent city in West Texas called Tornillo. The number of detained migrant children being relocated is 13,000. In this tent city children have no school, legal help is limited and health and mental health services have decreased.

The Department of Health and Human Services cites that the length of time that migrant children are in custody has increased from 34 to 59 days. The camp in West Texas has tents that are expected to remain through the end of December 2018.

The symptoms of trauma, fear and separation anxiety from parents and shifting of their homes is prevalent. Children have been seen panicking or trying to flee when they are taken to a new home, in this case, tents. Many times the children are moved at night when they are less likely to try to run away. Children are not given much notice – some only a few hours, and are tearful and scared as to whether they are going to a safe place.

Many of the detained children crossed the border without their parents, and some are seeking asylum. The children who were separated from their parents are held in federal custody until they can find sponsors who can give them a home.

Older children (ages 13-17), who are closer to being placed with sponsors, are being sent here. This continual relocation of children – vices for mental health and education and not having as many staff to deal with the large numbers moved here, means they are not being attended to when they are struggling.

Leah Chavla, a lawyer with the Women's Refugee Commission, an advocacy group in New York City is working to advocate for the rights and protection of women, children and youth fleeing violence and persecution. You can reach its web site at www.womensrefugeecommission.org

The Commission urges people to: (1) Donate to WRC, (2) Contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives by phone or email demanding that these children can get placed with sponsors and get out of custody, demand that they speak out against family separation and hold this administration accountable through letters and social media, (3) Volunteer with local congregations that have taken in migrant children, and (4) Follow this inhumane activity on the Facebook page of WRC.

If we all call or email one of our Senators or Representatives, it can make a difference.

These children have been placed in an impossible situation that is causing them to experience loneliness, depression, anxiety and feelings of abandonment with no hope for the future. Please take five minutes to be an activist for these children.

Mary Ann Baron is a psychotherapist who lives in Mt. Airy.