Tens of thousands of children from Central American countries are crossing the United States-Mexico border. They are being apprehended and processed into America’s immigration system. And, according to President Barack Obama, the answer to this crisis is to send a message to children and their parents that they should not be sending their kids to America and ship them back home.
As Obama has announced, he is seeking greater authority from Congress to bypass anti-trafficking laws passed under President George W. Bush in order to speed up the process of deporting over 50,000 children back to countries in Central America, like El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Obama declared in remarks delivered in front of the White House on July 1:
The journey is unbelievably dangerous for these kids. The children who are fortunate enough to survive it will be taken care of while they go through the legal process, but in most cases that process will lead to them being sent back home. I’ve sent a clear message to parents in these countries not to put their kids through this. I recently sent Vice President Biden to meet with Central American leaders and find ways to address the root causes of this crisis. Secretary Kerry will also be meeting with those leaders again tomorrow. With our international partners, we’re taking new steps to go after the dangerous smugglers who are putting thousands of children’s lives at risk.
Today, I sent a letter to congressional leaders asking that they work with me to address the urgent humanitarian challenge on the border, and support the immigration and Border Patrol agents who already apprehend and deport hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants every year. And understand, by the way, for the most part, this is not a situation where these children are slipping through. They’re being apprehended. But the problem is, is that our system is so broken, so unclear that folks don’t know what the rules are.
As one might be able to tell, the culture of empire was on full display. They don’t know what the “rules” are. “Dangerous smugglers”—the “coyotes” parents are paying to help get their children safely to America—are putting children’s lives at risk. Obama resents that parents haven’t listened to his “clear message” to not put “their kids through this,” like they’re supposed to obey him first and foremost and not desire a better life for their children where they can live safely.
One of the most significant issues is that these children should not simply be regarded as immigrants. In many cases, it would be more appropriate to treat them as refugees or asylum-seekers because children—and in some cases entire families—are fleeing their homes.
When the Obama administration first announced that it would begin detaining and deporting more immigrant families, Michelle Brané, the director of Migrant Rights and Justice Programs at the Women’s Refugee Commission, reacted, “We are gravely concerned by the Administration’s announcement that it will expand the use of family detention and deny families full access to protection under US and international law. While the administration is understandably under pressure to create order out of this humanitarian crisis, locking babies in prison cells and deporting women and young children to dangerous situations are not the answers.”
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Washington, DC, conducted a major study, “Children on the Run” [PDF], that examined this crisis. There has been increased numbers of children and adults seeking asylum since 2009. Eighty-five percent of new applications for asylum in 2012 came from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. Altogether, asylum requests from Mexico, Panama, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Belize increased 435%.
Similar to the current crisis, there was a “surge” registered by the US government beginning in October 2011. In 2011, 4,059 unaccompanied and separated children were apprehended by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). By 2013, 21,537 children were apprehended by CBP.
UNHCR interviewed children who had fled and found that they provided information indicating they “may well be in need of international protection.” Forty-eight percent of the displaced children who were interviewed “shared experiences of how they had been personally affected by the augmented violence in the region by organized armed criminal actors, including drug cartels and gangs or by State actors.”
“Twenty-one percent of the children confided that they had survived abuse and violence in their homes by their caretakers,” according to UNHCR’s study. “A third category of harm giving rise to potential international protection needs arose only among the children from Mexico: recruitment into and exploitation by the criminal industry of human smuggling – that is, facilitating others in crossing into the United States unlawfully. Thirty-eight percent of the children from Mexico fell into this category. Eleven percent of the children reported having suffered or being in fear of both
violence in society and abuse in the home.”
Out of 104 children from El Salvador, “Sixty-six percent of the children cited violence by organized armed criminal actors as a primary motivator for leaving, and 21% percent discussed abuse in the home.”
Maritza, a fifteen year-old from El Salvador, told UNHCR, “I am here because the gang threatened me. One of them ‘liked’ me. Another gang member told my uncle that he should get me out of there because the guy who liked me was going to do me harm. In El Salvador they take young girls, rape them and throw them in plastic bags. My uncle told me it wasn’t safe for me to stay there. They told him that on April 3, and I left on April 7. They said if I was still there on April 8, they would grab me, and I didn’t know what would happen. . . . My mother’s plan was always for the four of us – her, my two sisters and me – to be together. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to come. I decided for sure only when the gang threatened me.”
The rate of children from Guatemala the UNHCR indicated raised “international protection concerns” because of deprivation, violence and abuse was lower than in El Salvador. Twenty percent of 100 children interviewed discussed violence in society.
“Gangs in a nearby neighborhood wanted to kill me and some other people,” David, a sixteen year-old from Guatemala told UNHCR. “They wanted me to give them money, but what money was I supposed to give them? I didn’t have any. They asked me a bunch of questions, like who was my father, and who was my family.
“I told them my father was dead. They told me to say goodbye because I was going to join my father. They asked me if I knew who they were, if I could identify them. I said no, because I knew if I said yes they would kill me. They held my cousin and me for three hours, tied up. My cousin was able to untie the rope and he helped me untie mine. We heard gun shots and we ran. They kept looking for us, but we escaped.”
Forty-four percent of 98 children interviewed from Honduras were displaced children, who were “threatened with or were victims of violence by organized armed criminal actors.”
There are escalating threats from “drug trafficking, polarized political systems, weak law enforcement and social hardships—such as poverty and unemployment” driving displacement of children as well.
Mauricio, a seventeen year-old from Honduras, said, “If they really do want to know how hard life is down there, they should go see it. There are kids who don’t make it past five [years old] because they die of hunger. Their parents can’t work because there are no jobs. Just give us a chance. Let us better ourselves so we can be something better than what we are today.”
In the midst of this crisis, the rights of children should be the first and foremost priority. The UNHCR study pointed out the Convention on the Rights of the Child “gives particular attention to the special protection needs of children deprived of their family environment and of children who are refugees or are seeking asylum.” The United States could probably grant many of these children Special Immigrant Juveniles visas.
But the Obama administration does not have to worry about violating this treaty. The US and Somalia are two of the only countries in the world that have not ratified this convention. That, in some ways, frees the administration to deny children internationally recognized protections if it would prefer to ship planeloads of children back to each of these Central American countries.
Furthermore, the immigration system has become a deportation and mass incarceration system. Obama has deported an average of 395,689 immigrants each year, a higher rate of deportation than Bush and nearly four times the rate of deportation under President Bill Clinton.
Only 1.82% of asylum applicants—181 people from El Salvador—were granted asylum in 2013, according to the US Justice Department. The number of asylum-seekers from Guatemala and Honduras, who had their asylum applications granted was less than 155.
Private prisons are making money off of warehousing immigrants. CBP, according to the Migration Institute, now “refers more cases for federal criminal prosecution than the FBI. Nationwide, more than half of all federal criminal prosecutions initiated in fiscal year 2013 were for illegal entry or reentry into the United States.”
Patricia Flynn of the ACLU wrote a rather disturbing blog post in which she detailed how she witnessed 50 immigrants being brought into a courtroom shackled and chained to each other. They each pled guilty and then were sent off to a private prison. “It’s the kind of assembly-line justice that might be expected in the gulag prison system of Egypt’s military-backed government,” she declared. [For more, see ACLU’s report, “Warehoused and Forgotten.”]
The answer to an escalating refugee crisis under Obama has been to advance the militarization of the border and take the criminalization of immigration to the next level. Rather than give appropriate attention to protecting the human rights of children or families, who are fleeing violence and extreme poverty in their countries, this has been Obama’s choice.
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erik July 1st, 2014 at 2:14 pm
1
Perhaps the saddest part of this fiasco is that these children are escaping very poorly governed nations in the expectation of having a better quality future.
Well they’re coming to the wrong place!!! This nation teeters on collapse. As difficult as life might be in their countries of birth, the future awaiting ‘Americans’ is likely to be far more grim over time.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 2:38 pm
2
In response to erik @ 1
Nah, we’re far more stable than El Salvador, Guatemala, or Honduras.
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RevBev July 1st, 2014 at 2:38 pm
3
There is a law that specifically protects these children as unaccompanied minors….the President should be ashamed and I am ashamed of him for this action.
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RevBev July 1st, 2014 at 2:39 pm
4
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 2
True, Thanks. I was about to try to ignore.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 2:43 pm
5
I wonder…
what if we miraculously reformed our government into the best in the world, with guaranteed minimum income, health care, education, and job opportunities for all.
And the whole rest of the world was envious, and wanted to come here.
Does anyone believe we can just allow the whole world to migrate here? If not, then you agree there should be limits yes?
Then if you have limits, how do you enforce them if you don’t, you know, deport those who break the limits?
Or do many here really believe that we could just have open borders and every single human being in the world that wants to live here can?
Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t believe any one country can house the world’s population, and yet if one country is head and shoulders above all others in how they treat their citizens, that’s exactly the direction it would be headed without limits on immigration.
These kids don’t deserve this treatment, but their parents or whoever directed them also had no business breaking laws, something we always bitch about when banksters or the TPTB do it.
I guess I’m asking what are we supposed to do with these kids? And if your answer is to allow them to stay as citizens, what about the next million kids that see that and start their journey here? Allow that too? Really no limits??? We can handle an unlimited amount of human beings immigrating here????
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Bluetoe2 July 1st, 2014 at 2:43 pm
6
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 2
But then if those countries are “unstable” the U.S. is culpable, you know that right or were you just trying to be “ironic?”
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ocoastperson July 1st, 2014 at 2:44 pm
7
This crisis has been escalating ever since Obama decided to change American immigration policy on his own (in an election year, surprise! Hispanics vote, overwhelmingly Democratic) and implement a very liberal version of the DREAM act whereby simply by living here as a child for 5 years a person got what is in effect a green card, don’t ask don’t tell version. In other words, they are no deported and they can work here.
So … people in the South of us noticed. By golly, get our kids here, stay with some relative already here, and in five years, bingo!!
Obama created this problem. And in order to do something like you apparently want (aka give those parents what they want, the kids get here they stay here) he needs to hype up the welfare. Provide the kids medical care, a home, food, education … but wait!!
That would mean increasing our welfare state. The one he’s been cutting back. Chopping off bits from food stamps, from home heating assistance, etc., coming up with the ACA which ultimately will transfer more dollars upwards into the 1% living in the sky. Whoops, got that one wrong. More like into the Hamptons.
The ultimate solution here is to actually seal the border. If the kids wind up stuck at the border in Mexico, it’s Mexico’s problem. Then we could sneak Mexico some assistance $$$$ and look the other way when none of it actually helps anyone down there.
Or my solution. Just take over Mexico. The border between Mexico and what is further south is really small and would be really easy to actually secure.
Or if not take over a small part of Mexico at that border. Then we’d have them surrounded and we could really insist they stop this sneaking into America aggravation.
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Bluetoe2 July 1st, 2014 at 2:46 pm
8
In response to RevBev @ 4
No doubt you live the life of the typical privileged middle class American. If you lived on the south side of Chicago or the inner city of Detroit or perhaps the hills of Appalachia or the wilds of northern Michigan things might not appear so “stable.”
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 2:48 pm
9
In response to ocoastperson @ 7
A pretty hysterical comment.
What I want, as if that is important at all, is for these children who have fled their countries to be granted asylum protection if they have a credible fear that returning home would endanger them.
That’s a universal standard recognized around the world – protect the rights of children.
Will some inevitably fail to prove they have credible fear? Sure, and the government can deport them. But there are thousands who should probably be able to stay and it would not be that bad for this country to welcome them.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 2:50 pm
10
In response to Bluetoe2 @ 6
Not being ironic at all. Though fueling the crisis, it’s an additional issue of whether the US is playing a role in the violence or destabilization in these countries. That’s actually another post I will probably write.
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erik July 1st, 2014 at 2:50 pm
11
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 2
Really? Many disagree.
Anyone even remotely cognizant of how this nation operates, is well aware of the fact that American citizens are among the most heavily propagandized in the world.
So the appearance of stability does exist. So does the appearance of an economic recovery. Same with the appearance of a genuine democracy….The appearance of a government working for the best interest of the people….
Lot’s of appearances alright.
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sapphirebulletsofpurelove July 1st, 2014 at 2:51 pm
12
In response to erik @ 1
Ah. Nice rationalization. Just an incidental bonus that it gives Obama an out?
pffffffffffffffft
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sapphirebulletsofpurelove July 1st, 2014 at 2:53 pm
13
Wow. There are some absolutely heartless people in the world, and some of them are commenting right here on FDL, today. Unbelievable.
ocoast & OFG: did you read the post? These are refugees. By and large, they are children who are threatened with violence. They aren’t coming to take your jobs, assholes.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 2:54 pm
14
In response to erik @ 11
The majority of immigrants find themselves preferring this country over whatever country they left.
And this is all frivolous. The point is that these children or families are in dangerous situations and they flee to, for example, escape gangs. They come here with the hope of some safety or security. Whether they will be free from violence when they get here is irrelevant. It is what is happening to them back home that is the deciding factor (or should be) when determining whether to grant them asylum or allow them to remain in the country.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 2:55 pm
15
In response to sapphirebulletsofpurelove @ 13
Nice…
all I did was ask some questions…
Have a nice day, asshole.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 2:58 pm
16
And I’ll continue being an asshole by asking another question.
Assuming these kids are all really threatened with violence (something not in evidence at this point) then again, are we capable of taking in all those in the world threatened with violence, with no limits?
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jedimsnbcko19 July 1st, 2014 at 3:00 pm
17
USA has attack the governments of South America for years.
A lot of South American Govt. wanted to put the 99% first.
the 1% in the USA did not like this, and brought hell to the region.
Now the Hell USA created in South America is making the people of South American send their kids to the USA? the source of Hell
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:00 pm
18
In response to OldFatGuy @ 5
Your sky-might-fall-if-we-accept-all-these-children hypotheticals aside…
There are internationally recognized human rights standards that countries are supposed to follow. When situations like this happen, countries should try and help people who are trying to find safety.
I don’t consider that to be a controversial position. This country can put resources into helping refugees instead of pouring millions into militarizing the border and criminalizing immigration. Of course, the profits to be made are not in accepting refugees.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:01 pm
19
In response to OldFatGuy @ 16
Are the children UNHCR interviewed liars?
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alan1tx July 1st, 2014 at 3:01 pm
20
In response to erik @ 1
Poorest Countries in Central America
Country / GDP per capita
1. Nicaragua / $4,500
2. Honduras / $4,700
3. Guatemala / $5,300
4. El Salvador / $7,600
5. Belize / $8,900
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:03 pm
21
In response to alan1tx @ 20
I appreciate you inserting some facts into this discussion. Thank you.
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erik July 1st, 2014 at 3:04 pm
22
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 14
With all due respect…That’s a bunch of crap. The majority of these kid’s are being sent for economic reasons and accepted for other reasons.
Has anyone on FDL yet come up with the reason for this sudden surge B.T.W?
Doesn’t it strike anyone as a bit odd that we suddenly get this deluge of immigrant ‘children’…….I mean pretty curious how this comes up with immigration ‘reform’ being the issue of choice for TPTB and presto!!!!
We’ve got kid’s showing up right on cue.
Seems just a bit odd.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:07 pm
23
In response to erik @ 22
Have you read anything that I have written at all? Do you realize this isn’t a “sudden surge”? This country has been experiencing an uptick in children coming to this country since 2009 and I cited this in my post.
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eCAHNomics July 1st, 2014 at 3:09 pm
24
How do these children get through Mexico with no one noticing? Why the sudden increase? Did they get their information on the internet?
On edit: Caught the answer to my second Q, so let me rephrase it. Why the sudden headlines? What is the reason behind the timing?
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 3:09 pm
25
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 18
And I agree with that, wholeheartedly.
And unless I’m mistaken, we currently have programs in place to accept such refugees. Do we need more, probably. That wasn’t my question.
My NOT hypothetical question was is there any limit to such refugees or immigrants or is it supposed to be unlimited?
And I have no clue where you got the “sky-might-fall-if-we-accept-all-these-children” from when my questions were more general in nature and not restricted to these children. But that’s probably my fault for being unclear. Sorry.
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 3:09 pm
26
In response to OldFatGuy @ 5
Agree 100%.
You really save me a lot of posting time by saying exactly what I feel.
It’s another mess. We seem to find a another one almost every day.
Ya’ know what???? Long John Silvers discontinued fried clams. Shit!
I LOVE clams.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 3:10 pm
27
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 21
So now they’re fleeing poverty???
Which is it, coming here for fear of their lives or coming here searching for a better life?
One would qualify as a refugee, the other wouldn’t.
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 3:11 pm
28
In response to eCAHNomics @ 24
Do you thins perhaps a “portal” has opened up in the time/space continuum linking maybe El Salvador and Cd. Juarez?
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 3:13 pm
29
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 21
alan1tx is a good man. Always has something to contribute.
Notice HE’S from Texas.
…..
just sayin’. Not everybody down here is a Ted Cruz or a Rick Perry.
You say, that doesn’t matter?
..
Maybe not now.
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Bluetoe2 July 1st, 2014 at 3:15 pm
30
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 10
The U.S. has been “playing a role” in the destabilization of Central America for years and years, dating back to the late 19th Century particularly if the “people” begin to whisper “socialism.” Surely you know that.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:17 pm
31
In response to OldFatGuy @ 27
Nice try. That’s not what I said by thanking alan1tx. And you’re being really cold-hearted.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:18 pm
32
In response to Bluetoe2 @ 30
Yes I do… Why does your comment have a tone of aggression?
I didn’t miss this, but I wanted to give it proper attention instead of cramming it into this already lengthy post.
I think I will write a second post on this. There, I will cover what you think I am ignoring.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 3:20 pm
33
FTR, since I’ve been mostly asking questions, my main complaint about this situation isn’t the fact they’re being deported, because I’m not sure what the best way to handle them all is and maybe deporting those that aren’t in danger is the only thing to do, but my main complaint is how they’re being treated while waiting for word on what’s going to happen to them.
Surely we can do better than what they’re going through. There ought to be someplace better to put them than what they’re living in now. What they’re living in now is hell, especially this time of year down there.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 3:22 pm
34
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 31
Shit, once again all I did was ASK (???? were a clue).
Are they fleeing poverty or violence?? If they are merely coming here for a better life, do we agree that’s not refugee status?
And if that is the case for many, then my questions above stand as most definitely NOT hypothetical. Can we have an unlimited number of them come here fleeing for economic reasons??? If not, then how do we enforce any limits?
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jedimsnbcko19 July 1st, 2014 at 3:23 pm
35
How does Obama doing this help Dems in 2014?
Dems running for congress who need Hispanic votes? must be shaking their heads?
from a political stand point? Obama does a lot of dumb stuff? or is Obama working for the other side?
If Obama loses the senate in 2014? Yes Obama actions will help Dems lose the Senate.
Obama will seek to cut Social Security with a GOP senate? Obama is not this dumb? what are his motives? “all war is base on deception”
A real Dem president would not be pissing on Hispanic before an election.
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PillBilly July 1st, 2014 at 3:24 pm
36
In response to newcarguy @ 28
If not that, it’s the freight train line that, with the approval of Mexican authorities facilitates hundreds of northbound refugees riding on top of the cars daily.
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OldFatGuy July 1st, 2014 at 3:29 pm
37
Now that I’ve pissed off everyone here, I’ll leave now, but want to comment on the cold hearted comment since it’s the second time.
First, I was merely ASKING QUESTIONS that IMO ought to be asked because every time this issue comes up we skirt around the big picture. Second, if facing the reality that maybe no country in the world can have unlimited immigration makes me cold-hearted, then cold-hearted I am. Because I just don’t see how any country could allow an unlimited amount of immigration. If we ever fixed our country the way we want it, guess what, we’d be head and shoulders above most of the rest of the world.
Are we to just let them all move here and believe that somehow we could manage?? Water, living space, food production, nothing matters because we could handle an unlimited amount??? I’m sorry, I don’t see how that would work.
Good day.
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eCAHNomics July 1st, 2014 at 3:30 pm
38
Beginning of podcast, first 12 minutes, gives additional details. Mexican drug cartels going into human trafficking (price of mj going down in U.S. owing to decrimilizaton?), PIC, the usual suspects.
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Kevin Gosztola July 1st, 2014 at 3:43 pm
39
In response to OldFatGuy @ 37
No, we don’t just let them all move here. A process is in place and rather than circumventing it – as Obama and others in his administration want to do — allow it to play out so children who are fleeing real and dangerous violence can be admitted to this country.
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marym in IL July 1st, 2014 at 3:45 pm
40
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 18
There are internationally recognized human rights standards that countries are supposed to follow. When situations like this happen, countries should try and help people who are trying to find safety.
I don’t consider that to be a controversial position. This country can put resources into helping refugees instead of pouring millions into militarizing the border and criminalizing immigration. Of course, the profits to be made are not in accepting refugees.
Agree completely.
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grayslady July 1st, 2014 at 3:45 pm
41
Kevin, as someone from Chicago you must know all too well that the situations you describe facing these children–parental abuse, gang violence–are problems we have in abundance right here, let alone Central America. If we can’t even make life better for our own citizens, what are we doing by letting in more youngsters who will likely end up in the same sort of environment that many of our young people already face here? The difference being that the Central American children will have the additional handicap of not speaking English when they arrive.
No, the questions raised by OFG and others don’t indicate heartlessness. They indicate common sense. Of course the children should be respectfully treated, rather than chained together, but I, for one, want to see our own children have healthy alternatives and half-way decent futures before I start worrying about children all over the world who are suffering. These are legitimate issues that should be worked out by all the UN nations rather than by individual countries.
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onitgoes July 1st, 2014 at 3:47 pm
42
Firstly, thanks, Kevin, for writing the post and updating about O’s plans for these children. That O plans to deport many of them should come as no surprise. From what little I know about this situation, it has been a mess all along. Well, to be fair, it’s very complicated, and there’s certainly no one good way to handle the influx.
I also wonder why there’s been more attention paid to this just recently, given that it’s been a issue for a while. Is this yet more political maneuvering for the election cycle? Rather than anyone in power either being concerned about the kids, themselves, and/or how to more adequately address the issues involved?
Finally, I regret that there has been some unkindness here today vis some questions asked. Actually, I can echo most of OldFatGuy’s questions. I, too, wonder how many immigrants this messed up nation can handle anymore adequately. If that makes me heartless or an asshole, so be it. I agree with OFG that these are not unreasonable questions to ask ourselves.
It’s why it’s monumentally even more aggravating that the PTB waste ton$ of money on endless WAR, Inc, when we have so many domestic issues crying out to be addressed rationally.
Kevin has agreed to write another column perhaps highlighting issues in Central America that have led to this mess. USA is often involved in various ways in destabilizing these countries leading to Cen. Amer. attempting to flee here either for safety, economic or other reasons.
Asking whether we should accept all immigrants is not unreasonable, IMO. How do we handle this flood? Clearly, these kids are not being treated well once they get here. What is the answer? How do we handle this.
And finally, it’s a known fact that O has deported more Mexicans and Central Americans than any POTUS before him. I personally know of a couple of people who got kicked out for ancient very very very minor infractions after basically living in the USA all of their lives. They didn’t even speak Spanish. Is this right?
Some want to blame the Dream Act for this influx, but that’s inaccurate. But I think blaming the Dream Act points to typical political maneuvering, which leads nowhere, certainly not to good solutions.
I’ll stop now. I don’t think it’s wrong to ask questions. Best to all.
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 3:51 pm
43
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 39
Well……….you earned your pay today Kev.
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 3:52 pm
44
Kevin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiZZ0IJL2_w
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onitgoes July 1st, 2014 at 3:54 pm
45
In response to grayslady @ 41
I agree. I live in Sacramento, which has a large-ish poor population (for the size our small city), and there is a lot of gang activity.
Gangs rule the world anymore, at least from what I can see. If these children fear gangs in their native countries, I don’t see them being any better off here. My Mex/Cent Amer friends tell me stories about Latin Americans from different countries and/or different areas of Mexico not getting along – about robberies & worse amongst these people from this part of the world.
I hate to say it, but from what I know, I’m not so sure that these kids are going to be better off here. I am concerned about their welfare once they are here until their “fate” can be decided, but… coming here, even IF they are accepted to stay here, is no guarantee of a safe and better life. Wish it were different but I don’t think so. Prove me wrong; I’m happy to learn.
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 3:54 pm
46
In response to onitgoes @ 42
I think the aggravation and frustration is just getting to be too much for some of us to bear.
We never thought OUR county would become THIS country.
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onitgoes July 1st, 2014 at 4:01 pm
47
In response to newcarguy @ 46
I agree. It’s totally sh*tty anymore, and then suddenly we “have to” spend more money on killing people in the ME “just because.”
I also think that citizens, in general, are perhaps starting to apprehend that they’ve been “had.”
I mean, we were told that the Iraq War would be over in a matter of MONTHS. It took what? 12 or 13 years? And NOW we “have to” go back. And they trot out Papa Doc & Baby Doc Cheney to endorse it.
I dunno… it’s pretty sick & sickening. And now this stuff with kids from south of the border. It’s almost too much to handle. Very frustrating.
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newcarguy July 1st, 2014 at 4:26 pm
48
In response to onitgoes @ 47
I also think that citizens, in general, are perhaps starting to apprehend that they’ve been “had.”
Even my right-wing family members are beginning to think that. Some have even said they have lost faith in that dick Cheney. You recall, the guy that president when Bush was president. I saw that hot blonde chick on FOX just rip the ol’ bastard to threads the other day. I just love the smell of overheated pace-makers in the morning.
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skepticdog July 1st, 2014 at 4:27 pm
49
The first Children’s Crusade failed, so will this one.
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kafka July 1st, 2014 at 4:27 pm
50
In response to Kevin Gosztola @ 39
…allow it to play out so children who are fleeing real and dangerous violence can be admitted to this country…
Well I have a novel idea: let’s do something for the children in Detroit, Chicago, Camden, East St.Louis, etc. who would love to flee “real and dangerous violence”, and poverty as well.
Get back to me when all children of US citizens have good health care, housing, a safe place to live, etc. and then we can talk about the children in/from other countries.
http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2014/07/01/obamas-answer-to-child-refugee-crisis-at-us-mexico-border-speed-up-deportations/