Migrant children in US custody hits new high since start of data releases: report

The number of migrant children in US custody hit a new high on Sunday, according to a report from CNN.

There were 5,767 migrant children reported in custody on Sunday, marking the highest number reported since the government began releasing data on the issue last week, CNN reported.

The number of undocumented migrants at the border has been an issue seized on by Republicans who call the situation a “crisis.” President Biden has had to open up new facilities in order to accompany the influx of migrant children at the border.

Although the overall number of migrant children has dropped below 18,000, a slight improvement from previously reported numbers, thousands more could be arriving in the upcoming months.

The Biden administration could need more than 34,000 beds as 158,000 migrant children could be arriving at the border from April to September, internal government estimates that were obtained by CNN showed.

Biden has pushed back against claims that the influx of migrants is due to his policies and says this is a typical occurrence for this time of year. 

“I’d like to think it’s because I’m a nice guy, but it’s not,” Biden said during a press conference last week. “The reason they’re coming is that it’s the time they can travel with the least likelihood of dying on the way because of the heat in the desert, No 1. No. 2, they’re coming because of the circumstances in their country.”

Thousands of migrants have been denied entrance to the country in the last few weeks under the Biden administration, but unaccompanied migrant children are not being turned away. 

Biden announced last week that Vice President Harris will be taking charge of the issue down at the border.