Thread by @thisisinsider

An estimated 13,500 migrant children were in government custody as of Thursday, March 18, 2021.

Photos shared by @RepCuellar show crowded conditions at the Texas Border Patrol facility. 👇 businessinsider.com/migrant-kids-a…

At one facility in Donna, TX, adults and children sit in what appears to be makeshift rooms separating out groups of people.

Journalists have so far been prohibited from viewing and entering the facilities.
businessinsider.com/migrant-kids-a…

Dozens of masked children can be seen lying down on gray mats. Despite the threat of coronavirus, some are crowded into corners while others appear to sit on the floor. Key policy changes have led to thousands of migrants to come to the US-Mexico border. bit.ly/3cfXK4c

Lawmakers fear that the surge will become a humanitarian crisis, as Border Patrol agents, for example, struggle to care or provide resources for incoming groups.

The potential spread of COVID-19 among these groups only exacerbates that concern. businessinsider.com/migrant-kids-a…

In a press briefing on Monday, White House Press Secretary @jrpsaki refrained from calling the surge a “crisis” at the border and said the White House is working with different government agencies including Health and Human Services to ensure they’re “following COVID protocols.”

.@jrpsaki insisted the Biden administration wants to “make sure the media has access to these sites,” but didn't give a timeline on when that would happen.

On Tuesday, US CBP facilities posted 2 videos showing the inside of various TX holding centers. bit.ly/3tNR0QL

The State Department has created more than 17,100 ads since January 21 to discourage people from migrating. These ads have reached 15 million people, @jrpsaki said on Monday.

However, it’s unclear if this approach to limiting US immigration is working.
businessinsider.com/migrant-kids-a…

Experts generally agree that this surge is not yet a crisis, but can turn into one.

To prevent a real crisis, experts told Insider there are numerous steps the Biden administration can follow.
businessinsider.com/migrant-kids-a…

Human-rights groups have also called out the Biden administration for crowded Border Patrol facilities following the shocking photos and videos that have emerged.

These organizations say the conditions are inappropriate for children.
businessinsider.com/human-rights-g…