Housing Migrant Children In ‘Tent Cities’ Costs 3 Times More Than Keeping Them With Families: Report

Placing migrant children in newly created “tent cities” is more expensive than holding them in detention facilities with their families, according to an NBC News report published Wednesday.

The report, citing a Department of Health and Human Services employee, said the cost of holding migrant children in the tents is $775 per person per night.

However, keeping the children in long-term facilities with their families would cost $256 per individual, according to NBC News.

The report comes as the Trump administration tries to defend its “zero tolerance” policy, which is separating children from their families at the southern border.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions began implementing its “zero tolerance” policy last month, which has led to more than 2,000 children being detained separately from their parents, according to The Associated Press.

The Hill added:

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have condemned the policy and called for action, while President Trump has placed the blame on Democrats.

The House, which has been engaged in an immigration debate for weeks, is poised to take up two pieces of immigration legislation on Thursday.

Senate Republicans on Tuesday voiced support for an immigration bill that would end the separation of children from their parents and guardians at the border.