Having already labeled the ongoing border surge as “a humanitarian crisis right here on our doorstep”, the activists are holding a congressional briefing, 10:30 a.m., July 8, in Senate Dirksen Room 226(Judiciary Hearing Room).
The briefing is limited to Senate staff and is closed to media.
The speaker’s list, touted as “a panel of experts” includes outspoken border pass boosters who will argue that it is the violent conditions of Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala that are driving children to flee Central America, as well as provide context to the children’s treatment upon arrival in the U.S.
“The US is facing a humanitarian crisis right here on our doorstep. Since October more than 52,000 unaccompanied children and 39,000 families with children have been apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. Many of these children have fled severe violence and abuse in Central America and have made long, treacherous journeys to the U.S. in search of safety and protection.” (The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU, July 3, 2014--See Below)
The activists have, at least ostensibly, bought into President Barack Obama’s claim that he is seeking emergency funding and expanded powers to expedite deportations of children back to Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Residents of Murrieta, California and citizens overwhelmed by the surge in other American cities are not holding their breath waiting.
The July 8 speakers’s list is a Who’s Who of FaceBook Mark Zuckerberg-style amnesty and border pass boosterism:
No one really knows whether any one in the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is praying for the potential chaos and anarchy of the surge, but Kevin Appleby, Director, Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs, USCCB, justifies the current mass youth migration because “violence” in their home countries is the “overriding factor” of their surge.
"We would say the difference-maker here is the increase in violence over the last three to five years, driven by the gangs and narco-traffickers in the region who prey upon young kids in their homes, on the streets, in their schools. It's hard to escape them. They are so pervasive in those communities," said Appleby. (
Aleteia.org, June 25, 2014)
“A combination of other factors, which Appleby described as a "perfect storm," is also contributing to the youth migration, according to the USCCB analysis.
“Families are sending their children north for economic and educational opportunities because of the extreme poverty and government corruption in Central America. Family reunification is another reason since many of the young children and teens have at least one parent and other relatives already living in the United States. The violence and lack of opportunities have resulted in the breakdown of poor families.”
Appleby attended a White House meeting on immigration last week and said administration officials didn't mention that they planned to request more money or reverse the protections in the law for child immigrants.
“What's more, Appleby said, because many of the children are fleeing violence in their Central American homelands, they are more refugees than immigrants.” (
National Public Radio, June 30, 2014)
Then there’s Leslie Velez, Senior Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, on the record for stating that a majority of the unaccompanied Mexican and Central American children crossing the U.S-Mexico border should qualify for “political asylum”.
“There is an alarming number of children seeking asylum. The U.S. government estimates this year there could be as many as 60,000 children in federal custody,” said Leslie Velez, a lead author of the new UNHCR report “Children on the Run,” released by the agency’s Washington, D.C., office, which covers the United States and the Caribbean. (
National Journal, June 16, 2014)
“Velez, in a conference call with reporters, said the “surge” of children crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without a parent or adult guardian began in 2011, and mirrors a sharp increase of adult U.S. asylum claims from El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico that rose from 5,369 in 2009 to 36,174 in 2013. The growing humanitarian crisis is also affecting countries besides the United States. Neighboring Central American countries like Costa Rica and Nicaragua have seen a 432 percent increase in asylum claims.”
Jennifer Podkul, Senior Program Officer, Migrant Rights and Justice Program, Women’s Refugee Commission, worries that the unaccompanied children flooding the borders may not get a chance to talk to official government asylum officers or immigration judges:
“If kids can’t talk to official government asylum officers or immigration judges, “they’re not going to get access to even ask for asylum,” said Podkul,. (
Yahoo News, July 3, 2014)
Anyone can see that leaders of the pro-amnesty movement already had their ducks lined up before counseling Congress.
Fat chance that anyone can prevail upon the activists pushing amnesty for the children fleeing Central America to press for refugee camps outside of all major U.S. cities whose children are left vulnerable in their staggering crime rates.
A CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING ON
The Challenges Presented by Unaccompanied Immigrant Children:
What Should Congress Do?
Tuesday, July 8th, 10:30am
Senate Dirksen Room 226 (Judiciary Hearing Room)
The US is facing a humanitarian crisis right here on our doorstep. Since October more than 52,000 unaccompanied children and 39,000 families with children have been apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border. Many of these children have fled severe violence and abuse in Central America and have made long, treacherous journeys to the U.S. in search of safety and protection.
To respond to the influx of unaccompanied children, the President is seeking emergency funding and expanded powers to expedite deportations of children back to Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
A panel of experts will discuss the President's request of Congress, and provide context on the violent conditions driving children to flee Central America as well as their treatment upon arrival in the US.
Speakers:
- Kevin Appleby, Director, Office of Migration Policy and Public Affairs, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
- Jennifer Podkul, Senior Program Officer, Migrant Rights and Justice Program, Women’s Refugee Commission
- Stephanie Richard, Policy and Legal Services Director, The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking
- Leslie Velez, Senior Protection Officer, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- Wendy Young, President, Kids in Need of Defense
- Royce Bernstein Murray, Director of Policy, National Immigrant Justice Center (Moderator)
The briefing is limited to Senate staff and is closed to media.
For more information please contact Joanne Lin (
jlin@aclu.org; 202/675-2317).
