More than 5,500 families were separated under the Trump administration, and Biden took over with the parents of more than 600 children not yet located.
So far, the task force has made progress in bringing these families together. Mayorkas said that approximately 105 families have been reunited recently.
ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero was quick to receive the Mayorkas announcement, but warned that “the devil is in the details and Secretary Mayorkas has to get rid of all the qualifications and qualifications surrounding his announcement and follow ahead with everything needed to correct the error. “
“These separated families have suffered immeasurably because of what our government has done, and we owe them restitution. This includes a permanent path to citizenship, care and resources to help them, ”said Romero.
The task force involves a coordinated effort between the United States, the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, as well as several non-governmental organizations, immigration lawyers and community groups. Michelle Brané, formerly a member of the Commission for Refugee Women, was selected to serve as executive director of the task force, said Mayorkas.
“This is not just an effort by the whole government, but by the whole society to do what is right,” said Mayorkas.
Mayorkas also used his turn at the White House briefing to outline why it will take time for the Biden government to create a new system to deal with the arrival of migrants at the border. Currently, the vast majority of migrants arriving at the border are being immediately expelled under a Trump era pandemic emergency rule.
“We are not saying, ‘Don’t come.’ We are saying, ‘Don’t come now’, because we will be able to deliver a safe and orderly process as quickly as possible, ”said Mayorkas, adding that“ we are working 24 hours a day, seven days a week ”.