Politics

New HHS Task Force Will Reunite Migrant Families

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The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) created a task force to reunite separated illegal immigrant children with their families on Friday.

“The Secretary of Health and Human Services has directed the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response assist the ACF Office of Refugee Resettlement with Unaccompanied Children Reunification,” the document establishing the task force reads, according to Politico.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness and Response handles “response to, and recovery from disasters and public health emergencies,” according to the office’s website. The office typically coordinates the response to public health crises, such as hurricane aftermaths.

HHS has previously declined to answer if there is a documented list of all children separated from their parents, despite requests from Democrats to do so, according to Politico Friday. (RELATED: CNN Panel Blasts TIME Over Newest Magazine Cover)

Between May 5 and June 9, 2,342 children have been separated from their families at the Southern border, according to a Tuesday report from Vox.

The Trump administration has faced backlash over its “zero-tolerance” policy, which aims to prosecute all illegal immigrants who attempt to cross the border. While illegal immigrants are incarcerated, minors have been put into in holding facilities where they can receive proper care.

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