Save the Children’s Statement on the Proposed Border Policy and Humanitarian Assistance

Washington, D.C. (February 6, 2024) Save the Children calls on Congress to pass critical supplemental humanitarian funding without putting children seeking asylum and those struggling to survive in Gaza at further risk.

The bill proposed by the Senate offers lifesaving humanitarian appropriations for children while exposing others to unacceptable risks. At a moment when we are seeing record levels of both displaced children and humanitarian needs around the world, the $10B supplemental appropriation would provide essential resources and protection for millions of children and their families in places like Sudan, the DRC, and Yemen. However, by prohibiting funding to UNRWA, it would risk the complete collapse of any semblance of a humanitarian response in Gaza, where one million children’s lives are threatened.

Furthermore, provisions on border policy in the Emergency National Security Supplemental Appropriations Act revive harmful, failed border policies, including asylum restrictions, expanded expedited removals, family detention, and Title 42 (via the border emergency expulsion authority). These policies would remove due process for families seeking asylum, making it harder for them to prove they qualify, and would lead to involuntary separation of children from their families as they seek asylum along the U.S. Southern border. This undermines the efforts to protect children and families and Save the Children opposes including these provisions in any funding package or supplemental request.

“We are thankful to see that the Senate recognizes the scale of humanitarian need around the world and has included additional funds for humanitarian assistance in their supplemental bill,” said Christy Gleason, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy and Campaigns at Save the Children. “This urgently needed funding would provide kids and families with essential resources such as food, water, and healthcare. This assistance, however, will have limited impact on children and families facing famine and disease in Gaza, since the bill codifies a temporary suspension of funding to UNRWA. 

“Save the Children cannot support efforts to trade the safety of children seeking asylum and children in Gaza for the needs of children in humanitarian crises elsewhere around the world. We call on Congress to provide the needed humanitarian funding now, including to UNRWA, and continue to work towards immigration solutions that prioritize the well-being of children and families, ensuring laws that are not only effective but also humane.”

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we've been advocating for the rights of children worldwide. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming the future we share. Our results, financial statements and charity ratings reaffirm that Save the Children is a charity you can trust. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.