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Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -1-

Child Migrant Crisis At The U.S. Border
They huddle for comfort in
overcrowded, jail-like conditions.
They try to sleep under foil
blankets on plastic cots, metal
benches, or thin mattresses. There
isn’t enough soap for everyone, so
they sometimes go without
morning showers. Many don’t get
outside for more than a few
minutes a day. Catching
COVID-19 in such packed quarters
is a real risk.
A Desperate Journey
The scared and lonely people
living in these circumstances aren’t
war victims in faraway refugee
camps. They are migrant children
from Central America. They have
arrived at the U.S. border without
parents or guardians. Most are
teenagers, but some are toddlers.
Thousands are now temporarily
living in bleak, jammed border
facilities. These sites aren’t
suitable for kids.
The children are mostly from
Guatemala, El Salvador, and
Honduras. They have travelled
thousands of kilometres through
Level 1 • Issue 7
Mexico to get to the U.S. And they
have made the difficult journey
north by foot.
They carry little but their meagre
belongings and dreams for their
futures. Some leave their parents at
the border. Some come with older
siblings or relatives who are also
under 18. Paid smugglers are
escorting other children.
A Spike In Arrivals
Most enter the U.S. at a border
crossing in Texas. They are
coming in greater numbers now
than they have in two years. The
U.S. Customs and Border
Protection agency (CBP) receives
the children. By March, it had
15,500 in its care – and the influx
isn’t letting up.
Behind The Numbers
Why are desperate parents sending
their children on a dangerous trip
to an unknown land? And what has
changed to cause the numbers to
skyrocket?
Migration to the U.S. from Central
America is not new. The region
What in the World? • Sample
suffers from long-standing
poverty. That has often pushed
people to flee north looking for
new opportunities. However, add
the coronavirus pandemic into the
mix and economic conditions have
worsened even more.
Drug lords who control
communities through gang
violence are an escalating threat, as
well. And in November, Central
America was battered by two
hurricanes. That left scores of
already struggling people destitute
and homeless.
COVID-19 restrictions are easing
in many areas, too. That means
people are freer to travel than they
have been in a year.
A Change of Heart
But perhaps the biggest reason for
the surge is different leadership in
the U.S. In 2021, a new
Democratic president, Joe Biden,
took office. His approach to
migrants is markedly different
from his predecessor’s, former
Republican president
Donald Trump.
-2-
In 2018, Mr. Trump declared a
‘zero tolerance’ policy against
migrants who didn’t have
permission to enter America.
Officials brought in laws aimed at
reducing the spread of COVID-19.
They refused entry to all
unauthorized adults and children.
Mr. Biden’s government has
reversed part of that policy. Adults
are still turned away, but children
are let in. So parents are sending
them.
A Stressed System
Many say that accepting kids is the
right humanitarian response. The
problem? The U.S. was ill-
prepared for so many children
knocking on its door.
Under U.S. law, the CBP can’t
hold unaccompanied minors for
over 72 hours. Another federal
agency, the Department of Health
and Human Services (HHS), is
then supposed to move them into
child-friendly shelters. The minors
stay there until relatives, sponsors,
or foster homes are found to accept
them.
But when shelters are full, children
get stuck in border detention
centres. That’s what’s happened.
In late March, at least 5000
children stayed longer than the
72-hour limit. Some 800 were
there for over 10 days. That must
change, critics say.
The Shelter Hunt
So officials are working around the
clock to find better temporary
shelters until HHS can take them.
They have asked charities and
other federal agencies for
assistance.
These efforts have helped. By
March 22, more than 1500 children
had been placed in a conference
centre in Dallas, Texas. The Red
Cross has also set up a camp for
kids.
“A border patrol station is no place
for a child,” said U.S. Homeland
Security head Alejandro
Mayorkas. 

Did You Know?

In February alone, officials stopped more than 100,000 migrants from entering the U.S.

Asylum in the U.S.

Tens of thousands of people apply for asylum in the U.S. each year. Asylum is the protection
granted by a nation to someone who has left a home country as a political refugee.
The president, in consultation with Congress, sets an annual refugee quota. From October 1,
2019 to September 30, 2020, the U.S. accepted 11,814 refugees. That’s far less than the
quota of 18,000, and a 40 percent decrease from 30,000 the year before. It was a record low
for a program that lets in an average of 95,000 refugees annually. The former U.S.
administration’s policy toward migrants, as well as COVID-19, likely account for this
decline.
Those granted asylum are eligible for some benefits and may apply for permanent resident
status after one year. Permanent residents can then apply for citizenship after four years.

destitute: extremely poor
humanitarian: help or money given to people, countries, etc.,
in order to improve living conditions
influx: the arrival of a large number of people
meagre: not having enough of something
migrant: a person who goes from one place to another
especially to find work
refugee: someone who leaves a country because of war or for
religious or political reasons, smuggle: to move someone or
something from one country into another illegally and secretly
predecessor: a person who had a job or position before
someone else
quota: a prescribed, or set, number
smuggle: to move someone or something from one country
into another illegally and secretly

Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -3-

Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -4-
Comprehension Questions

1. What was the target quota for the number of refugees that could enter the U.S. last year?

2. How many refugees were actually allowed into the U.S. from October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020?

3. Which region do many refugees who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border come from?

4. What is different about many of the migrants who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border in recent weeks?

5. Why did they leave their homes to come to the United States?

6. Describe the conditions these children experience on their journey north.

7. What recent change in the U. S. prompted the latest surge of refugees?

8. Which U.S. government agency first deals with migrants? How long can it keep custody of children?

9. Which U.S. government agency is then assigned to help these young unaccompanied refugees?

10. Why is there currently a crisis in dealing with these migrant children?

Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -5-

Questions For Further Thought

1. During former president Trump's term, he declared a 'zero tolerance' policy against migrants arriving at the border that
did not have permission to live in America. He even separated some children from their parents as a deterrent to future
migrants; some of those families are still waiting to be reunited. Today, President Biden is still turning away adult
migrants, but has pledged not to turn away children.
Consider the consequences of each president's policies. Which of the two do you feel is the most desirable? What changes
or modifications would you suggest to make them better? Explain.

2. Unless you are Indigenous, someone in your family tree immigrated to Canada. Maybe it was you! What do you know
about your family history? Share what you know with a small group and ask them questions about their history as well.
Describe the circumstances around your or another family’s immigration experience.

What themes are common? How do they compare to the experiences of child migrants in the U.S.? Explain.

Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -6-

Questions For Online Exploration

Note: The links below are listed at www.lesplan.com/en/links for easy access.
1. Visit the links below to learn more about the experience of child migrants in the U.S., from their treacherous journey
north to the processing of their asylum claims once they reach the U.S. border:
https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=P6fDGQpHd_k [5:01]
https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=Q9p1Iuy1Mkk [2:20]
https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=O09YJrcx9WQ [4:17]
https://www.yout-ube.com/watch?v=14HAjiChCxY [7:02]
What surprised you about their experiences? What questions do you still have about this crisis? Give specific details to
support your ideas.

2. UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, was established to give every child an equitable chance in life. Visit the
UNICEF USA site to learn more about the organization's efforts to support the plight of migrant children:
https://www.unicefusa.org/mission/emergencies/child-refugees-and-migrants/how-help-child-migrants-central-
america-mexico-and
What did you learn about UNICEF and its support of child migrants in the U.S.?

Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -7-

Putting It All Together
A. Write the letter that corresponds to the best answer on the line beside each question:
______ 1. A person who leaves their home country to escape violence or persecution is called a(n):
a) refugee b) renegade
c) evacuee d) illegal alien
______ 2. Most migrants who show up at the U.S.- Mexico border are coming from:
a) the Caribbean b) Central America
c) South America d) Syria
______ 3. What is the most important reason behind the wave of new refugees to the U.S.?
a) a new U.S. president b) hurricanes
c) extreme poverty d) the COVID-19 pandemic
B. Mark the statements T (True) or F (False). If a statement is True, write one important fact to support it on the line
below. If a statement is False, write the words that make it true on the line below.
______ 4. True or False? The U.S. president consults with Congress to set yearly immigration quotas.
______ 5. True or False? Most migrants who want to enter the U.S. arrive at the Arizona-Mexico border.
______ 6. True or False? Most teenage migrants who want to enter the U.S. arrive with their parents.
C. Fill in the blanks to complete each sentence.
7. CBP = U.S. Customs and _______________________ Protection.
8. The refugee target _______________________ for the October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020 period was 18,000.
9. Some parents of migrant children pay _______________________ to escort their children to the U.S.
D. Respond to the following question in paragraph form. (Use a separate sheet of paper if necessary.)
10. What advice would you give to U.S. President Biden about the refugee crisis on the southern border? Give reasons to
support your response.

Level 1 • Issue 7 What in the World? • Sample -8-