Hundreds of immigrant children settle in U.S. southern border states
A new spike in unaccompanied Central American minors crossing into the United States is pushing federal officials to open shelters in Texas and California. About 800 immigrant children from Central America who have entered the United States illegally will be moved to two campsites in the Dallas area over the coming days, local officials said on Thursday. Incoming family groups are usually sent first to detention centers, and adult migrants are often jailed when they are apprehended, but children traveling alone need special treatment under federal law.
We didn’t feel like there was any way we could turn them away and not care for them. We have the beds that are empty and the food that can be served.
Reverend Rick DuBose, superintendent of the Assemblies of God of North Texas
Increasing gang violence is pushing people out of Central America, said Maureen Meyer, a senior associate for Mexico and migrant rights at the Washington Office on Latin America. More migrants are crossing the border, even as new checkpoints between Central America and the U.S. are turning thousands of people back, said Emilio Gonzalez Gonzalez, a political scientist and independent researcher in Mexico City. Rather than fleeing, many of the children seek out U.S. officials, surrender and request political asylum, citing violence and endemic crime in their home countries.
10,888
CHILDREN
Young immigrants
A total of 10,588 unaccompanied children crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in October and November, more than double the 5,129 who crossed during the same two months last year, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.
As liberal as I am, I do not want undocumented people sneaking into our country. I guess this is my conservative trigger. I am from immigrant ancestors who came here to avoid Communism. They spoke English quite quickly after arriving and became citizens. They got jobs and even survived the Depression by taking care of each other. My grandmother would make soup from bones she had begged from the butcher. They lived in Cleveland and during the Depression my grandfather found a job in Chicago and sent money home for people to survive on. They cared, and they worked to help each other survive. We don’t really do that anymore. Some people might but not many. It is far easier to assist people to get back up on their feet than to go to war and then have to rebuild entire cities.#Bloggers4Peace
idealisticrebel 
Well said, Barbara – we should all embrace the children and give them the opportunities to contribute to a better world in the future – rejection only breeds resentment, anger, envy, violence…
I feel sad for these children, but I have to say something just on a practical level. The chance that these disadvantaged, poorly nourished, perhaps even developmentally stunted, or already emotionally damaged immigrant/migrant children would be able to accomplish the kind of high art and scientific achievement that you are suggesting is slim indeed. This is not to be callous, but realistic. When you consider the current reports on the state of public education in this country vs. other developed countries, the USA is far from the top in academic performance. Native born or already naturalized children from loving, caring families of poor or moderate means, here in “SLUM NATION,” are also in a struggle for survival, which may not be quite as bad, but is also a SERIOUS impediment to their ability to achieve GREATNESS. A decision of public policy has to take into account the odds of success in a venture where public money is used. If you define success as just keeping foreign children alive for awhile longer, and not hating us, (good luck on that part, too) that’s one thing, but to propose that one of them may develop a cure for cancer, as being the reason this is worthwhile: it’s not even a long shot. I’m not sure what a gambler would call it, but it’s not a bet I would make.
What you say is true to a point.I have a daughter who has a masters degree in special ed. Many of those children won’t develop as much as I foresee, but after working in Non-profits for most of my life, I have seen it happen. Children who come out of gang neighborhoods and graduate from Harvard. Granted there aren’t many and we never hear about them but it happens. First, each child has the right to become all that are able to become and to give back as much as they can. But there are the ones, who if given the opportunity, will rise above their social status and will blossom into a beautiful hibiscus. They just need a chance. We can’t judge. We can not look at perfect and beautiful little person and condemn them to a life of hatred violence and suffering. What if someone told you that you weren’t worth the cost of your education? Would you be what you are today? I doubt it.These conversations are wonderful because they make us think and stretch our boundaries. It is nice to meet you and I wish you a wonderful week. Hugs, Barbara