Children being bussed across border illegally. Heard of this?

[staceyobu]

I'm hearing there are hundreds (thousands?) of children from countries like Guatemala and Honduras being illegally bussed into the states. They have mentioned that Texas border patrol is overwhelmed trying to house these kids. They are coming alone with no parents.

 

A few questions: who is driving the busload of kids? Are there areas where a huge charter bus can be driven across the border with no one noticing? Do all these kids have family here? If not, what happens to them?

[Alicia64]

Yes, I've heard a ton about it from the radio show I listen to. From a heart perspective: I get it. From a fiscal perspective? It makes no sense at all. From a legal perspective: Again, no sense at all.

 

It's surreal.

 

They have a "camp" with a bunch of kids in OK and a U.S. congressman tried to tour it and was denied access. He was told that he have the chance to tour it in about three weeks. In his own jurisdiction. http://dailycaller.com/2014/07/02/u-s-congressman-blocked-from-entering-child-immigrant-facility/

 

In CA a town in So. Cal. called Murrieta (near San Diego) turned away three buses full of women and kids: http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Jul/01/murrieta-border-patrol-migrant-protests/

 

Then the media were told that they weren't allowed to follow the buses. :confused1:  (Having been in the media, they're not used to being told that. Ever. As long as they're not crossing private property.)

 

None of it makes any sense to me. What's sad to me is that I have a friend from India who has tried three times to bring her sister from India to the U.S. and has been denied every time. (Expensive because fees are involved and heartbreaking for my friend.)

 

Alley

[zoobie]

The buses in the news are children who have been detained along the Texas border. There aren't family facilities in Texas, so the government was trying to bus them to another facility in California to keep the moms and little ones together. Protestors blocked the roads. These buses aren't directly from another country. They are immigrants being moved from one US detainment facility to another.

[ChocolateReignRemix]

I'm hearing there are hundreds (thousands?) of children from countries like Guatemala and Honduras being illegally bussed into the states. They have mentioned that Texas border patrol is overwhelmed trying to house these kids. They are coming alone with no parents.

 

A few questions: who is driving the busload of kids? Are there areas where a huge charter bus can be driven across the border with no one noticing? Do all these kids have family here? If not, what happens to them?

 

Children are not being brought across the border in busloads.  They are being smuggled across in the same way they always have been - typically walking with the help of coyotes/guides, 

They are being bussed to various detainment centers after they have been picked up by the border patrol or ICE.

[ChocolateReignRemix]

Thousand and thousands and yes, I'm very aware of this. It's absolutely appalling and was a predicable consequence of the legislation that prompted it.

 

An interesting comment considering that there has been no legislation passed that would apply to the children entering illegally at this time.

[staceyobu]

Children are not being brought across the border in busloads. They are being smuggled across in the same way they always have been - typically walking with the help of coyotes/guides,

They are being bussed to various detainment centers after they have been picked up by the border patrol or ICE.

Okay... This clarifies some. The local news just keeps talking about "busloads of children". I guess that led to my confusion.

[staceyobu]

Because it is a direct result of the current political climate and immigration laws that are in effect. That's all I'll say.

Well, I would be curious if someone wants to try to explain without things deteriorating. Horrible situation... They are saying the kids are trying to flee gang/drug violence.

[zoobie]

Many of the housing facilities are run by private, for-profit corporations. Similar to the business of private prisons. There is big money to be made, so look at who contracts to run the facilities, which politicians are pushing through the approval, etc. It is a very murky issue that isn't "red" or "blue" politically.

[Farrar]

Children are not being brought across the border in busloads.  They are being smuggled across in the same way they always have been - typically walking with the help of coyotes/guides, 

They are being bussed to various detainment centers after they have been picked up by the border patrol or ICE.

 

I feel a little dismayed that this thread got more than ten posts without this being clarified.  :(

 

It's a horrible situation and a humanitarian crisis. There's not a simple answer to this thing. The government is trying to deal with it, but there are laws about how ICE must process children here alone illegally and there are good, compassionate reasons for those laws (though calls to alter some may make sense, they can't just disregard them). And those laws take time to carry out as well as personnel they didn't expect to need. They're flooded with people. And they're just kids. They need medical treatment. They need humane conditions. They're straining the whole system and then some. It's a huge mess.

[staceyobu]

I feel a little dismayed that this thread got more than ten posts without this being clarified. :(

 

It's a horrible situation and a humanitarian crisis. There's not a simple answer to this thing. The government is trying to deal with it, but there are laws about how ICE must process children here alone illegally and there are good, compassionate reasons for those laws (though calls to alter some may make sense, they can't just disregard them). And those laws take time to carry out as well as personnel they didn't expect to need. They're flooded with people. And they're just kids. They need medical treatment. They need humane conditions. They're straining the whole system and then some. It's a huge mess.

Is there anything that can be done to help?

[ChocolateReignRemix]

I agree, it's a horrible situation. Locally to me, I drive past the shelter (in which the children are literally behind barbed wire) frequently. They are being cared for. The problem is, what do we do with them now? They aren't citizens, so you can't put them into the foster system. The shelter near me is on the military base, aka, federal land. They transformed a "thousand man dorm" typically used by basic trainees into a children's dormitory. Last I heard, swine flu was starting to run rampant.

Some of the unaccompanied children are as young as 3 yearsold, arriving with nothing except a note, written in Spanish, pinned to their clothing.

 

The drug gang violence didn't just pop up over the last few months. That might be the reason for sending them, but there was something in this country that served as a catalyst. That catalyst is political. No new immigration legislation has been enacted, so it must be something else, right? I'll let you Google the rest of the story.

 

Just say what you want to say and quit hinting.

[Farrar]

Is there anything that can be done to help?

 

I have been curious about this too and at one point googled it, but haven't found an answer.  I'd be all ears if anyone knows of any nonprofits doing good work to help these kids.  Many of them will be stuck here for months, while I know the government is responsible for them, surely there are organizations trying to bring them books and games and clothes and resources?

[ChocolateReignRemix]

It would violate board rules.

 

If there has been a policy change that has created this situation, stating what it is factually would not violate the board rules.

If it is one of the ignorant conspiracy theories floating about, then yes, you are being wise keeping it to yourself.

[Lang Syne Boardie]

Y'all aren't going to believe this, but Glenn Beck's Mercury One charity is gathering and providing aid.

 

Beck said they are doing it because when you are talking about a humanitarian crisis you help those in need and sort out politics later.

 

Mercury One's Children and Family Border Relief Fund

 

From the link:

 

"Children and Family Border Relief Fund As you may have heard in the news, there are thousands of children and families crossing or stuck at the border. Although this issue is highly politicized, Mercury One's mission is to help people, malice towards none and charity for all. Mercury One will work with those organizations at the border to supply food, clothing, water, and other relief to those children and families in most need.

Mercury One does not use any portion of donations to this fund to cover any of Mercury One's operational costs. Fees and charges by third party companies, such as merchant processing and credit card fees, are paid from donations to this fund."

[staceyobu]

I just read an entire rush Limbaugh article on this and still couldn't find a cause?

[NotSoObvious]

I just read an entire rush Limbaugh article on this and still couldn't find a cause?

 

Here's a start.

 

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/country-lost-kids/

[Lang Syne Boardie]

Now, I'm certainly more convinced about religious convictions when churches, individuals and corporations are more focused on loving their neighbours than on going to court...more power to them if they are providing appropriate aid. I assume it's appropriate and not an excuse to evangelise ?

 

It is, from what I can gather.

 

When Mercury One did hurricane relief I researched as much as I could, and couldn't find any examples of evanglising or politicising, plus all the money went to the cause and not to political organizations or Glenn Beck's media. They were praised in the mainstream media for the latter, for using 100% of the donations.

 

(I wanted to know because a town I have some history with was affected, and Mercury One seemed to be moving faster by far to do something so I wanted to send my money there, but I didn't feel good about donating until I vetted it.)

[ChocolateReignRemix]

I just read an entire rush Limbaugh article on this and still couldn't find a cause?

 

It is likely a combination of factors.  There is increasing political and gang violence in parts of Central America.  Combined with grinding poverty this is creating a more pressing desire for parents in those areas to get their children out of the area.  Many of these children have relatives in the US and the parents are hoping they will be taken in by them.

The possible extra catalyst?  The coyotes (and their backers) who engage in the human smuggling are likely misrepresenting the Dream Act to families in Central America and leading them to believe their children may be able to find a way to legal citizenship, which is 100% not true.  I have seen speculation about this but no hard facts.

 

It is a real mess, and is being turned into a political issue and the humanitarian side of this is being brushed aside by those with an agenda.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Someone linked this article to me yesterday, it explains some of the myriad of issues involved in this crisis. It clarified some of the legal isssues, and why so many kids are coming now.

 

 

http://www.vox.com/2014/6/16/5813406/explain-child-migrant-crisis-central-america-unaccompanied-children-immigrants-daca

[ChocolateReignRemix]

Someone linked this article to me yesterday, it explains some of the myriad of issues involved in this crisis. It clarified some of the legal isssues, and why so many kids are coming now.

 

 

http://www.vox.com/2014/6/16/5813406/explain-child-migrant-crisis-central-america-unaccompanied-children-immigrants-daca

 

Excellent article.  Thank you for sharing.

[Lanny]

Bused across the border? I'm not sure about that. Possibly that is happening too. I forget which city in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas this is in. People on the Mexican side of the river with Jet Ski's give rides, to a dock on the U.S. Side. The voyage is approximately 100 yards long and they charge USD$100 for the one way ride. This will also work for Al-Qaeda. and other terrorists who want to slip into the USA, without being apprehended.

[Caroline]

Often, these kids' moms are already here. The kids have been staying with grandparents or aunts in their home countries.

 

There is a book called Enrique's Journey which tells the story of kids coming from Guatemala. My school, with a large immigrant population, read this book as our community read last year. I have students who survived this awful trip.

 

It is likely a combination of factors. There is increasing political and gang violence in parts of Central America. Combined with grinding poverty this is creating a more pressing desire for parents in those areas to get their children out of the area. Many of these children have relatives in the US and the parents are hoping they will be taken in by them.

The possible extra catalyst? The coyotes (and their backers) who engage in the human smuggling are likely misrepresenting the Dream Act to families in Central America and leading them to believe their children may be able to find a way to legal citizenship, which is 100% not true. I have seen speculation about this but no hard facts.

 

It is a real mess, and is being turned into a political issue and the humanitarian side of this is being brushed aside by those with an agenda.

[Anne in CA]

I have had coworkers who's mothers came to the US and sent for them one at a time as they got old enough to work. The war was horrible and many people had no future there. My friend Ricardo had his mother leave him to work in a cannery in Oregon when he was 12. His mother left him with his grandmother and the first night they were at his grandmother's house his uncle tried to rape his little sister. When Ricardo did not allow that his uncle went on a drunken rampage and in the end Ricardo's sister was nearly beaten to death with a phone cord. She still has scars. Ricardo took his younger sisters back to his mother's house, which she still owned and managed to keep them alive until he was 16 when he came to the US. They kept chickens and a milk cow and a big garden. Ricardo makes it sound fun but admits it was really hard. If drug violence has gotten worse, and there are Ricardos being told someone will take in their younger siblings, I'm sure that is what's happening. They might believe their mothers will be able to come get the children. Also, Central American landlords and politicians are probably benefiting by getting these kids out of the country so their parents houses (which their parents are working to save) can be taken over.

[umsami]

I can't imagine feeling that things are so bad that my best solution was to send my child to another country.

 

Yet, we're not the only country facing this.

 

Because of the Syrian war and Iraqi wars, we now have more refugees that at any time since WWII.

 

It's actually both heartbreaking and humbling.  I'm very grateful that I had the luck to be born in a country which has not had a war on its land during my lifetime…nor had a dictator (regardless of what some pundits say ;))… or any droughts, genocides, or severe economic crises.  I'm just very grateful.

 

I can't imagine how scared those children must be…. and how vulnerable to abuse as well.  I pray for their safety and for a good outcome for them, and for all the children in the world.

[Farrar]

It is likely a combination of factors.  There is increasing political and gang violence in parts of Central America.  Combined with grinding poverty this is creating a more pressing desire for parents in those areas to get their children out of the area.  Many of these children have relatives in the US and the parents are hoping they will be taken in by them.

The possible extra catalyst?  The coyotes (and their backers) who engage in the human smuggling are likely misrepresenting the Dream Act to families in Central America and leading them to believe their children may be able to find a way to legal citizenship, which is 100% not true.  I have seen speculation about this but no hard facts.

 

It is a real mess, and is being turned into a political issue and the humanitarian side of this is being brushed aside by those with an agenda.

 

In fact, I've now seen two different things where social workers and reporters asked the children their reasons for coming and almost none of the children have cited policy in the US or immigration policy changes or anything like that.  The closest any of the children said was something along the lines that the US government was nice to children.  Not that it was a scientific poll of them all or anything but it seems like that isn't the reason, though I guess it could be a reason for adults back home to urge them to go.

[momacacia]

I don't understand why they are allowed across at the border. Are they claiming refugee status of some sort? How do they cross, how do border guards allow them across?

 

I'm assuming that if I tried to cross into Canada or Mexico, I would have to show some kind of papers, visa, business/pleasure reasons, something to get across into another country or else they would send me back toward whence I came. I doubt I'd be escorted further into the country and given food and housing. I'm genuinely confused, especially when it's a matter of national security and general welfare.

 

(If I read the above articles maybe I'll catch up on the why's and how's.)

[QueenCat]

And I can answer one of your questions. The people who are bringing these busloads of kids and dumping them off at the border are called "coyotes". Basically, they are hired for a few thousand dollars per person that they ship. It's disgusting.

 

Just one of the many faces of human trafficking.

[ChocolateReignRemix]

I don't understand why they are allowed across at the border. Are they claiming refugee status of some sort? How do they cross, how do border guards allow them across?

 

I'm assuming that if I tried to cross into Canada or Mexico, I would have to show some kind of papers, visa, business/pleasure reasons, something to get across into another country or else they would send me back toward whence I came. I doubt I'd be escorted further into the country and given food and housing. I'm genuinely confused, especially when it's a matter of national security and general welfare.

 

(If I read the above articles maybe I'll catch up on the why's and how's.)

 

 

Well, in general they sneak across.  However, I believe in this case if minors are caught crossing and they are from a non-contiguous country, they cannot be immediately returned as per US law and treaty agreements.

[PinkyandtheBrains.]

Well, in general they sneak across. However, I believe in this case if minors are caught crossing and they are from a non-contiguous country, they cannot be immediately returned as per US law and treaty agreements.

Yes, the law prevents immediate return for most of these children. The link up thread I posted mentions this as well as some other relevant laws

[MiMi 4under3]

A decade ago, when I had a toddler, infant, and two newborns, I paid my babysitter generously.

 

I later found out she was working to save up enough to have her children smuggled into the country from Colombia.

 

Apparently, she paid complete strangers to bring her 4yo and 7yo sons across the border. I remember for three whole weeks, she had no idea of her sons' whereabouts, while waiting for THE phone call that told they had arrived safely. 

 

When she brought them over for me to meet, I asked if they liked it here. The boys replied that they were thrilled to have enough food to eat at every meal. They especially loved fruit, (which they never ate back home because their family couldn't afford it.)

[Butter]

I don't understand why they are allowed across at the border. Are they claiming refugee status of some sort? How do they cross, how do border guards allow them across?

 

I'm assuming that if I tried to cross into Canada or Mexico, I would have to show some kind of papers, visa, business/pleasure reasons, something to get across into another country or else they would send me back toward whence I came. I doubt I'd be escorted further into the country and given food and housing. I'm genuinely confused, especially when it's a matter of national security and general welfare.

 

(If I read the above articles maybe I'll catch up on the why's and how's.)

 

The border guards aren't necessarily "letting" them cross.  There is a lot of border that is basically open space, no fences really even.  Those are also very dangerous places to cross (dehydration can kill - case in point, the Guatemalan 11 year old boy's body found a few days ago).  Then there is the added problem that these kids are not Mexican.  Mexican children we can return to the Mexican side of the border pretty easily.  Not so with kids from other countries.  It's a different process to deport them and some of these kids are very, very young and all alone.  So some of these kids get to the border and because of their country of origin, and our laws (which have come from both parties and are not necessarily new), we have to do something with them that does not involve sending them right back to where they came from.  They are trying to get these kids to their family members in the US, but they aren't able to with all of them.  It's truly a heartbreaking and tragic situation for the kids.

[QueenCat]

The border guards aren't necessarily "letting" them cross.  There is a lot of border that is basically open space, no fences really even.  Those are also very dangerous places to cross (dehydration can kill - case in point, the Guatemalan 11 year old boy's body found a few days ago).  Then there is the added problem that these kids are not Mexican.  Mexican children we can return to the Mexican side of the border pretty easily.  Not so with kids from other countries.  It's a different process to deport them and some of these kids are very, very young and all alone.  So some of these kids get to the border and because of their country of origin, and our laws (which have come from both parties and are not necessarily new), we have to do something with them that does not involve sending them right back to where they came from.  They are trying to get these kids to their family members in the US, but they aren't able to with all of them.  It's truly a heartbreaking and tragic situation for the kids.

 

I read, in an NPR article that I'll try to find again and link, that approximately 25% of the children are under the age of 14. It is incomprehensible to me to look at these children as anything other than kids who need our help. I do not get the "ship them back to the gangs and unsafe environment" at all.......... and the people who I hear say that the most claim to be Christians. Not what I think Jesus would suggest at all.

[ChocolateReignRemix]

I read, in an NPR article that I'll try to find again and link, that approximately 25% of the children are under the age of 14. It is incomprehensible to me to look at these children as anything other than kids who need our help. I do not get the "ship them back to the gangs and unsafe environment" at all.......... and the people who I hear say that the most claim to be Christians. Not what I think Jesus would suggest at all.

 

Jesus would have some very harsh words for the folks saying such things.

[La Texican]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2583135/Cartel-member-accused-kidnapping-children-harvest-organs-captured-Mexico.html

 

IMO, this is why. The cartels are now harvesting children's organs because it's "More money than drugs." Those bastards. It's gotten unreal. The more I hear, the more I wonder why our military is not over there. I hope they don't ship those babies back.

[Amy in NH]

It breaks my heart to see a picture of kids crossing the border, who look quite a bit like my 12 year old son, and think of sending them back to such a severe culture of gang violence where they have a good chance of being raped and killed.  There must be something that can be done to fix it so that they don't need asylum here.

[Liz CA]

Bused across the border? I'm not sure about that. Possibly that is happening too. I forget which city in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas this is in. People on the Mexican side of the river with Jet Ski's give rides, to a dock on the U.S. Side. The voyage is approximately 100 yards long and they charge USD$100 for the one way ride. This will also work for Al-Qaeda. and other terrorists who want to slip into the USA, without being apprehended.

 

And that is the scary part.

[Serenade]

And I can answer one of your questions. The people who are bringing these busloads of kids and dumping them off at the border are called "coyotes". Basically, they are hired for a few thousand dollars per person that they ship. It's disgusting.

Why aren't they turned back at the border? Don't all roads into our country have some kind of checkpoint? I was under the assumption that the kids were illegally entering 1 or 2 at a time with a guide or something. You know, secretively. Seems like busloads of kids would be very noticeable. If whole busloads are coming and nobody is stopping them, that's a real problem.

[ChocolateReignRemix]

Why aren't they turned back at the border? Don't all roads into our country have some kind of checkpoint? I was under the assumption that the kids were illegally entering 1 or 2 at a time with a guide or something. You know, secretively. Seems like busloads of kids would be very noticeable. If whole busloads are coming and nobody is stopping them, that's a real problem.

 

And if you read the rest of the posts you will see that isn't what is happening.

[Alicia64]

I think anyone who wants them immediately sent back are heartless. If Glen Beck can act in a charitable way, what the heck does it say about the others?

People are misinterpreting the Dream Act and the coyotes are profiting greatly from it.Children are dieing while making the trip.Parents are taking the chance that their kids will have a better life. Others are trying to reunite with their kids. That's not political. It's not one President or one party's fault. It's humans desperately wanting a better life for their family, screwed up immigration rules, and assorted angry people profiting from it monetarily or other stupid ways.

 

I don't know anything about Glenn Beck -- I've never watched him, but I have visited third world countries. These poor children (poor meaning heartbreaking) are not the exception -- they're the rule.

 

Third world countries' children around the globe are suffering what these sweet children are suffering -- it still doesn't mean that the U.S. has the resources to care for thousands upon thousands of them. We just don't. It comes down to economics.

 

But, I agree, it's absolutely heartbreaking. Years ago I realized that I couldn't visit Mexico "for fun" -- it was just too sad to me. And this was twenty five years ago. (It always blew me away that my sister could visit the Mexican resorts and have a blast knowing that the resort towns are a far cry from the main areas of Mexico where people are barely surviving.)

 

Alley

[Alicia64]

It breaks my heart to see a picture of kids crossing the border, who look quite a bit like my 12 year old son, and think of sending them back to such a severe culture of gang violence where they have a good chance of being raped and killed.  There must be something that can be done to fix it so that they don't need asylum here.

 

I couldn't agree more with you. The situation is appalling, but this is standard business for third world countries. The U.S. can't fix everything -- even though we wish we could.

 

I often tell my boys, "We're so lucky to have been born in this country."

 

Alley

[creekland]

Often, these kids' moms are already here. The kids have been staying with grandparents or aunts in their home countries.

 

There is a book called Enrique's Journey which tells the story of kids coming from Guatemala. My school, with a large immigrant population, read this book as our community read last year. I have students who survived this awful trip.

 

 

I'll second this book and provide a link:

 

http://www.enriquesjourney.com/

 

 

I read, in an NPR article that I'll try to find again and link, that approximately 25% of the children are under the age of 14. It is incomprehensible to me to look at these children as anything other than kids who need our help. I do not get the "ship them back to the gangs and unsafe environment" at all.......... and the people who I hear say that the most claim to be Christians. Not what I think Jesus would suggest at all.

 

There is absolutely no way I could ever send a single one of these kids back.  I wish they could be spread out more to not put all the burden on a couple of areas, but IMO, our country is indeed big enough to try to help others get a better life.  Who knows what some of these kids could offer us if developed correctly!

 

Another book to read before passing judgment:

 

http://doctorqmd.com/books/becoming-dr-q/

 

Whether one "succeeds" in life or not (or has the opportunity to do so) should NOT be dependent upon winning the birth lottery.

[Lanny]

Why aren't they turned back at the border? Don't all roads into our country have some kind of checkpoint? I was under the assumption that the kids were illegally entering 1 or 2 at a time with a guide or something. You know, secretively. Seems like busloads of kids would be very noticeable. If whole busloads are coming and nobody is stopping them, that's a real problem.

 

From what you wrote, I doubt that you have ever lived in a "border state". They don't come in via major highways.  I suspect that if you will look into this, that you will find the majority of the international frontier, between the USA and Mexico is not fenced. I am not positive about the percentage that is not fenced, but I believe the majority of the border in Texas and in New Mexico is not fenced. 

 

When I was a boy, in California, the illegal aliens were called "wetbacks" because they came across the river. Frequently, the river is  dry...

 

They are not crossing at points specified by U.S. Customs/Immigration and some of those places (called a "Port of Entry") do not have staff on duty. In West Texas, for example. It is more of an "honor" system and people along the Texas-Mexico border are accustomed to that open border.

 

At this time of the year, it is extremely hot in South Texas and other places near the border and many who are smuggled into the USA (in railroad cars, tractor trailers, etc.) die North of the border.

 

Recently I have read  stories about people who worked in the camps where they are trying to help (?) these children. The people have apparently had their cell phones seized and been threatened with arrest, if they speak with the media about the illnesses and other conditions in the camps. This is not a recipe for success or for helping children.

[Alicia64]

 

Recently I have read  stories about people who worked in the camps where they are trying to help (?) these children. The people have apparently had their cell phones seized and been threatened with arrest, if they speak with the media about the illnesses and other conditions in the camps. This is not a recipe for success or for helping children.

 

That's what's confusing me in this story. . . why can't people speak with the media? Why can't an OK congressman see a "camp" in OK? Why all the secrecy?

 

When I worked for the Red Cross long ago, we welcomed the media. The more the media got the word out about the Red Cross shelters, the more help came in for the people inside the shelters.

 

So, all this secrecy just makes no sense to me.

 

And to not let a congressman into a shelter in his own state?! What in the world is that?! That cannot be legal. Again, in Red Cross shelters we welcomed a congressman's visit -- we didn't block his way. :confused1:

 

Alley

[Anne in CA]

The secrecy is very disturbing, as well as the idea that housing these kids might be an industry. The prison industry is very damaging to our country, and I hate to think of the same sort of people taking care of 3yo children. The idea of them getting something so contagious makes me hope they are getting medical care, but since the government cant even get decent care to veterans at the VA who are grown adults and able to complain I cant imagine they are getting good care to small children if they are sick. 

[Alicia64]

The secrecy is very disturbing, as well as the idea that housing these kids might be an industry. The prison industry is very damaging to our country, and I hate to think of the same sort of people taking care of 3yo children. The idea of them getting something so contagious makes me hope they are getting medical care, but since the government cant even get decent care to veterans at the VA who are grown adults and able to complain I cant imagine they are getting good care to small children if they are sick. 

 

Yes. And remembering how complicated it was for the Red Cross to set up shelters for families -- with adults everywhere -- I can't imagine what's going on with authorities in this situation who really aren't skilled in shelter management. (Makes me wonder if they're working with the Red Cross. If they're not: I feel awful for those kids.)

 

But, yes, the secrecy is a major red flag in my book. If you're doing something wonderful, you don't need the level of secrecy that bars a congressman from visiting.

 

Alley

[poppy]

I imagine the 'secrecy' has to do with protecting privacy of minors who are also refugees? I have no idea, I just want to assume good intentions. This is a terrible situation. THIS is where us being a Christian nation has to be forefront, not controversies over forms about health insurance.

[msrift]

Which Way Home is an award-winning documentary made in 2009 that was eye-opening as to what drives these children and the dangers they encounter along the way. It doesn't have the answers, but I highly recommend watching this to gain a better understanding from their point of view. It's available on Netfilx streaming. Like most things, any solution to this humanitarian crisis won't have a simple answer.

ETA: As it's a couple of years old, the film doesn't show the massive amounts of children entering the country today. But it gives you an idea of what the facilities were like when the numbers crossing were more manageable. The journey the children undertake is still valid.

[Alicia64]

I imagine the 'secrecy' has to do with protecting privacy of minors who are also refugees? I have no idea, I just want to assume good intentions. This is a terrible situation. THIS is where us being a Christian nation has to be forefront, not controversies over forms about health insurance.

 

Protecting minors' privacy should be a top consideration especially in this situation. I don't understand why a U.S. congressman would be barred from entering a shelter. That's the part that stumps me.

 

Keep in mind the third world countries around the world have horrendous living situations for children and adults. Why these particular children is what keeps running through my mind.

[Butter]

Why aren't they turned back at the border? Don't all roads into our country have some kind of checkpoint? I was under the assumption that the kids were illegally entering 1 or 2 at a time with a guide or something. You know, secretively. Seems like busloads of kids would be very noticeable. If whole busloads are coming and nobody is stopping them, that's a real problem.

 

Most of the border is not fenced, not a checkpoint, and does not have anyone standing there on duty.  Most of the border just leads into ranchland.  *IF* there were busloads of kids coming through a checkpoint, though (there are not), as long as they were not of Mexican origin, we absolutely cannot turn them back at the border.  This isn't a "problem," this is the law.  Many are being brought in by coyotes secretly.  Many are being abandoned by those coyotes.  Once someone has gotten into our country, if they need medical help, we will provide it (no matter the age).  This is a huge deal for customs and border protection.  Those agents are honestly risking their lives daily down on the border (the children being brought in isn't all that's happening down there - drugs smuggling is huge, the coyotes are often armed, and cartels routinely use children to bring in drugs).  25% are under 14, but 75% are over.  They have to be careful upon approaching those kids because some are armed and smuggling.  This situation is not as easy as it being *just* kids who are trying to join family already in the US or looking for a better life.  Sorting things out is difficult, especially when they are being inundated with so many more kids than typical.

[chiguirre]

I imagine the 'secrecy' has to do with protecting privacy of minors who are also refugees?

 

I think this might be the answer. They probably have to abide by HIPPA and media release rules for minors. If their parent or guardian didn't sign on the dotted line, you can't take publish their picture.