The Department of Health and Human Services has asked the Pentagon to offer housing on military bases for up to 20,000 unaccompanied migrant children.
The request is for July through December 31 of this year, and would accommodate children that were caught crossing the U.S.-Mexico border illegally, CNBC reported.
It is estimated that more than 2,300 children under 12, including toddlers and infants, are being detained in special “tender age” shelters, The New York Times reported.
In 2014, the Obama Administration used three military bases to house around 7,000 children who crossed the border without adult family members.
Pentagon asked to prep housing for up to 20,000 unaccompanied immigrant kids on military bases https://t.co/Y4WhtiF6tn
— CNBC (@CNBC) June 22, 2018
The Defense Department accepted the HHS request, said Army Lt. Col. Jamie Davis, DOD spokesman.
The migrant children will be housed across four American military bases in Texas and Arkansas.
HHS personnel or contractors for HHS “will provide all care for the children,” including supervision, meals, clothing, medical services, transportation and other daily needs.
