US wants to build more tents at border to detain migrants

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

US wants to build more tents at border to detain migrants

By NOMAAN MERCHANT and CEDAR ATTANASIO
April 16, 2019

HOUSTON (AP) — The Trump administration wants to open two new tent facilities to temporarily detain up to 1,000 parents and children near the southern border, as advocates sharply criticize the conditions inside the tents already used to hold migrants.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a notice to potential contractors that it wants to house 500 people in each camp in El Paso, Texas, and in the South Texas city of Donna, which has a border crossing with Mexico.

Each facility would consist of one large tent that could be divided into sections by gender and between families and children traveling alone, according to the notice. Detainees would sleep on mats. There would also be laundry facilities, showers, and an “additional fenced-in area” for “outside exercise/recreation.”

The notice says the facilities could open in the next two weeks and operate through year end, with a cost that could reach $37 million.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/c63609bbcc3d43a899a0a53344946e43

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. I suppose that's better than making them live outside

with just a sleeping bag at night.

But really, is there any chance there's some sort of alternative?

[mr_lebowski]

2. Just let them come into the country, and give them ankle bracelets and temp work permits?

Along with court dates, with flexible appearances in terms of location (say, you must report to the county you're physically in within 3 months of your court date, so you can get on the docket there)?

Seems a lot cheaper and more humane to me.

But, oh, I forgot. We're 'full'.

[procon]

3. It's the desert where temps drop below

freezing in winter and go over 110 degrees in summer. How do you heat and cool a tent? How can people lay on the hard rocky ground when it's stone cold frozen or hot enough to cook an egg?

Why are people being forced to sleep on floor mats? Even the dog pound provides beds, the worst prisoners get beds. So what did some little toddler do that they don't deserve a bed or crib?

This is cruelty intended to make Trump's chosen victims suffer. It's racist to treat them like animals, not human beings. This to will find its way to a courtroom, and hopefully before people get sick.

[Control-Z]

6. If military tents were used as intended

there would be beds for each person. And there would be a maximum number of people per tent. Which, of course, means there would be a need for more tents. They would also have to designate tents to house men, women and families - at least mothers with their young children. Fathers and older sons may need their own tent as well.

If done correctly and humanely, there would not be a problem with hot and cold temps. These tents are raised on a solid foundation that is constructed first, and are designed to include AC and heating - like they do for the military in, say, the Middle East. There would also be a mess tent where food would be prepared or brought in and served. Hell, in the Middle East, depending on the job and location, there might be a Taco Bell or MacDonald's tent year round. There would also be a bathroom tent and one for showers.

I have family that has served in many places over the years, including my sister in Kuwait and now my niece, a munitions expert, in Afghanistan.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

4. I do happen to live in one of the sanctuary cities,

and our take is, "Yes! Send them to us!"

[Control-Z]

5. I was thinking the same thing.

I know the maggot thought it would be a cruel punishment for cities that dare to offer sanctuary.

Let the maggot spend his precious, illegally gained, wall money on transportation to these cities. I would call that a good use of his border "wall funds".