Waves of immigrant minors present crisis for Obama, Congress

[Captain Ewok 1,871]

(Reuters) - Tens of thousands of children unaccompanied by parents or relatives are flooding across the southern U.S. border illegally, forcing the Obama administration and Congress to grapple with both a humanitarian crisis and a budget dilemma.

An estimated 60,000 such children will pour into the United States this year, according to the administration, up from about 6,000 in 2011. Now, Washington is trying to figure out how to pay for their food, housing and transportation once they are taken into custody.

The flow is expected to grow. The number of unaccompanied, undocumented immigrants who are under 18 will likely double in 2015 to nearly 130,000 and cost U.S. taxpayers $2 billion, up from $868 million this year, according to administration estimates.

The shortage of housing for these children, some as young as 3, has already become so acute that an emergency shelter at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, has been opened and can accommodate 1,000 of them, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in an interview with Reuters.

The issue is an added source of tension between Democrats and Republicans, who disagree on how to rewrite immigration laws. With comprehensive legislation stalled, President Barack Obama is looking at small, administrative steps he could take, which might be announced this summer. No details have been outlined but immigration groups are pressing him to take steps to keep families with children together.

... read more at Reuters.com

What are folks thoughts? Do you think immigration reform or action is possible in this politically charged environment?

[Merrytooth 5,748]

The parents must have heard of Obama's plan of giving amnesty to all the illegals inside US.

Thus rushing to send their kids over the US border.

[ianf77 9]

The parents must have heard of Obama's plan of giving amnesty to all the illegals inside US.

Thus rushing to send their kids over the US border.

Probably true.....

What is annoying is the people who have gone through the processes honestly and correctly will be penalized with delays!!!

[Caryh 5,206]

The shortage of housing for these children, some as young as 3,

What are folks thoughts? Do you think immigration reform or action is possible in this politically charged environment?

As young as 3 and alone sneaking across the border???

Aint a snowball's chance in hades for the current two parties to accomplish anything. Both political parties get a lot of traction with their base voters keeping the immigration system broken. There's no benefit in fixing it for them.

[cdneh 3,112]

Turn them around, and send them home.

[Avery Cates 1,141]

Right back out they should go.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

WASHINGTON: Tens of thousands of children unaccompanied by parents or relatives are flooding across the southern US border illegally, forcing the Obama administration and Congress to grapple with both a humanitarian crisis and a budget dilemma.

An estimated 60,000 such children will pour into the United States this year, according to the administration, up from about 6,000 in 2011. Now, Washington is trying to figure out how to pay for their food, housing and transportation once they are taken into custody.

The flow is expected to grow. The number of unaccompanied, undocumented immigrants who are under 18 will likely double in 2015 to nearly 130,000 and cost US taxpayers $2 billion, up from $868 million this year, according to administration estimates.

The shortage of housing for these children, some as young as 3, has already become so acute that an emergency shelter at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, has been opened and can accommodate 1,000 of them, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said in an interview with Reuters.

...

The minors flooding over the border are often teenagers leaving behind poverty or violence in Mexico and other parts of Central America such as Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala. They are sometimes seeking to reunite with a parent who is already in the United States, also without documentation.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/Waves-of-immigrant-minors-present-crisis-for-US/articleshow/35691711.cms

Imagine that, we have employers providing jobs, give medical care, and free stuff and don't deport them when caught

Want the Min wage to go up. Deport the many many Millions of illegals. There fixed

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Imagine that, we have employers providing jobs, give medical care, and free stuff and don't deport them when caught

Want the Min wage to go up. Deport the many many Millions of illegals. There fixed

But that would destroy jobs, wouldn't it? It's what I keep hearing.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

But that would destroy jobs, wouldn't it? It's what I keep hearing.

I think you deport the 8 million working here illegally .Boom unemployment issue solved. Lowest in years then

I know the answer is throw people in Jail that employ them, then they self deport

Edited May 29, 2014 by The Nature Boy

[decocker 7,198]

it's just so so simple. boom!

[Not a Tailor 1,370]

So the people who have been employing undocumented workers at below minimum wage for years will magically decide that they are going to pay minimum wage and won't just hire desperate people at under minimum wage and pay them under the table?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So the people who have been employing undocumented workers at below minimum wage for years will magically decide that they are going to pay minimum wage and won't just hire desperate people at under minimum wage and pay them under the table?

That's the theory. I see some issues with it's veracity.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

it's just so so simple. boom!

Actually it is, they have no reason to come here they will stop coming

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

So the people who have been employing undocumented workers at below minimum wage for years will magically decide that they are going to pay minimum wage and won't just hire desperate people at under minimum wage and pay them under the table?

If the labor pool shrinks by 10 million who is going to work for Min wage. Besides try paying a legal below min wage... You gonna be in big trouble

Unless you are Fred Smith own FedEx and call them contractors

[Dualie 185]

The dam has been breached. Will they be able to stem the flow? I am an optimist by nature, but I am skeptical where this is concerned.