This influx of young immigrants began in 2011, but increased rapidly in 2014. The heavy flow of young immigrants was at its highest in June when over 10, 000 minors arrived at the border without an accompanying adult. Numbers shrunk down to 5,501 in July, to 3,141 in August and 2,424 in September.
(http://blog.amnestyusa.org/americas/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-u-s-mexico-border-crisis/)
The children arriving at the border are fleeing from gang violence and drug-related violence. Most are from El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala. A recent report from the USCCB summarizes problem as "generalized violence at the state and local levels and a corresponding breakdown of the rule of law have threatened citizen security and created a culture of fear and hopelessness." Children whose parents are living and working abroad are especially vulnerable to being targeted by these gangs.
Another factor contributing to the flood of unaccompanied minors to the U.S. border is the belief that children will be granted greater leniency by border patrols. Parents who have been saving to bring their children to the U.S. that now is the time to do so, and often tell their children to surrender themselves as soon as they see a border officer.
In some communities, like Chelsea, Massachusetts immigrant children are welcomed, while others, such as Oracle, Arizona, stage protests.
Immigration has been a hot topic for a long time, and after the events of this past summer, it has become even more heated. Clearly immigration reform desperately needed, and we will certainly be hearing a lot rhetoric relating to this topic from the country's campaigning politicians.
I think it is important to resist falling into the trap of an us-vs-them mentality. Yes, our immigration system needs help, but those fleeing from war--especially the children--should not become our nation's scapegoat.
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