Migrant children face deportation in Texas immigration courts

In Harlingen, Texas, unaccompanied migrant children as young as two are appearing in immigration courts to argue against deportation. Many of these minors arrive without legal representation to navigate complex proceedings that determine whether they can remain in the United States or face removal.

During recent proceedings, a 13-year-old boy from Honduras was denied asylum despite stating that returning home would be dangerous and that his family is located in the U.S. The judge noted the strictness of U.S. immigration laws and granted the minor until the end of the month to appeal the deportation order.

Hundreds of such unaccompanied children, who were either detained at the southern border or picked up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, are currently being held in shelters managed by the Department of Health and Human Services.