Apprehended

Welcome to the Voice of America’s News Words, where we explain words you hear in the news.

Today’s word is about children who come to the United States illegally:

Apprehend

In the last year, nearly 50,000 children from Central America have been apprehended at the U.S. border, overwhelming detention facilities.

Many say they are fleeing gang violence and poverty.

Apprehended means someone has been detained or arrested.

The immigrant children coming into the United States illegally were detention by immigration officials.

Often, when people are apprehended, they are wanted for a crime.

So the next time you hear the word apprehended, you will know with this News Word means.