WASHINGTON: Republican lawmakers yesterday stepped up calls to secure the US border with Mexico before proceeding with changes to the country’s immigration policies, linking the issue to a recent surge of illegal children.
Republican US Representative Michael McCaul of Texas, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, described “nothing less than refugee camps” in his state where a flood of children has been arriving illegally. “I believe the failed border security strategy has resulted in this and I believe the message is if you came to the United States, you can stay, and that encourages,” McCaul said on NBC’s “Meet the Press”.
From October to June 15, 52,000 unaccompanied children arrived on the US border with Mexico, according to the Department of Homeland Security. President Barack Obama has called the issue an urgent humanitarian crisis.
Republicans have blamed the influx of children on Obama’s 2012 decision to give temporary relief from deportation to someyoung people brought to the United States illegally by their parents.
The Obama administration has sought to stem the flow of migrant children by investing in speedier deportation decisions as well as committing millions of dollars to improve security in Guatemala and offering help to youth in El Salvador who are vulnerable to organised crime. Many unaccompanied children are believed to be escaping drug-fuelled conflicts in Central America as well as rejoining family members who have already gone to the US.
Reuters
