Biden Will Focus on Child Immigration During Central America Trip

WIth the United States facing a record amount of unaccompanied minors crossing borders into the U.S., the Obama administration has made child immigration the central focus of Vice President Biden's upcoming trip to Central America.

The influx of minors into the United States has already reached tens of thousands, and the number is expected to continually reach close to 60,000 by the years' end, in what will be record numbers of minors immigrating into the nation.

Misinformation about American immigration policies for minors, including the 2011 directive Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), have immigrants hopeful for a fast track to citizenship.

One of Biden's goals on the trip to Central America is to clarify the incorrect information about American immigration policy. While DACA does make allowances for minor children who arrived in the United States illegally, they had to be within the border by 2007. Minors, unaccompanied or otherwise, who have crossed into the United States illegaly in the years after will face deportation.

The administration hopes that with clarity on those policies for nations like Guatemala, Biden's first stop on the Central American trip will slow the influx which has now been labeled a "humanitarian crisis."

Biden will also make stops in El Salvador and Honduras, where he will not only clarify immigration policy, but support for the nations facing mass exodus. He will speak on the administration's support for finding a solution to violence and severe poverty, in hopes of attacking the root of the immigration problem.

The number of unaccompanied minors from Central America has overwhelmed Texas and Arizona holding stations, where minors are housed while awaiting removal from the United States. In a shocking change of pace, an overwhelming number of female minors are being seen, many of whom are under the age of 12.

Harsh conditions and predatory practices are especially dangerous for unaccompanied youth immigrating into the United States, as immigrants are often more at risk for violence or sexual assault.

Biden will begin his trip Friday, after a stop in the Dominican Republic and Brazil for the 2014 World Cup soccer games.