Perry accuses Obama administration of fueling 'surge' in illegal immigrant children

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is accusing the Obama administration of "perpetuating" a recent "surge" in illegal immigrant children who are crossing into the U.S. from Mexico and Central America without their parents and often falling straight into government care.

In a letter obtained by Fox News, Perry wrote to President Obama on Friday citing stats that show more than 5,200 "unaccompanied minors" were taken into U.S. custody in the first six months of the fiscal year -- a more than 90 percent increase compared with the same period a year ago.

Perry, a former Republican presidential candidate, claimed that a failure to immediately send them back is "perpetuating the problem" by encouraging other children and teenagers to make the trek. He said the journey is dangerous for the children, and their flow into the United States is a burden on his state and others. The governor urged the administration to eliminate the "temptation" to make "this tragic and illegal migration."

"Every day of delay risks more lives," Perry wrote. "Every child allowed to remain encourages hundreds more to attempt the journey. Our country can no longer provide the temptation for these unaccompanied minors to engage in this tragic and illegal migration. To end it, the federal government must stop new arrivals at the border, repatriate those already here and prevent and discourage others."

It's unclear exactly how many are being sent back. Perry claimed that an administration member "indicated" fewer than 10 percent are being deported. The children reportedly are coming into the U.S. for a range of reasons, looking for jobs as well as family members in the States.

A recent Associated Press article on the surge reported that 1,390 unaccompanied children crossed over the border and into U.S. custody in March alone. Some have even been housed at Lackland Air Force Base on a temporary basis while they are being processed.

The children, after being initially detained by the Department of Homeland Security, are typically handed over to the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement -- a division of the Department of Health and Human Services.

A Department of Homeland Security official confirmed to FoxNews.com that the number of unaccompanied minors going into HHS care has gone up. But the official stressed that "migration patterns, including those of groups such as unaccompanied children, differ during any given year based on a wide variety of factors." The official noted that apprehensions were down 53 percent in fiscal 2011, compared with 2008, "an indication that less individuals are trying to cross the border as a result of a number of factors including increased border security."

In addition, the official said that even as the number of minors going into HHS care rises, the number of actual Border Patrol apprehensions is "on par with past years." And the official said the unaccompanied minors account for just 5 percent of total Border Patrol apprehensions.

Most of the minors are placed in a shelter after being sent to HHS care. They stay in those shelters an average of more than 60 days, according to a recent study by the Vera Institute of Justice. From there, at least 65 percent of the children are handed over to live with a sponsor inside the United States, the study said. The report described their processing as a "disjointed labyrinthine system."

Perry accuses Obama administration of fueling 'surge' in illegal immigrant children | Fox News

Perry Faults Obama for Rise in Illegal Immigrant Children

Monday, 07 May 2012 10:42 PM
Newsmax

Texas Gov. Rick Perry is accusing the Obama administration of fueling a rise in the number of illegal immigrant children crossing the border -- and landing in the lap of state care.

In a letter to the President, Perry slams Obama's policies as perpetuating the rise in the number of Central American and Mexican children who are arriving on U.S. borders without parents and ending up costing border states millions.

He says that in the first six months of the fiscal year, some 5,200 minors were taken into U.S. custody without their parents, a 90 percent increase from the same time period last year. Perry warns that more children will be tempted to make the trek. He is calling for immediate repatriation of these unaccompanied children, the letter says.

Here is the full text of Perry's letter:

"Dear President Obama:

"There are many consequences of having an unsecure border. Not only are drug seizures up and cartels infiltrating our communities, but, as your administration is fully aware, there is a surge of unaccompanied illegal minors entering the United States. Aside from being part of an obvious humanitarian crisis, these unaccompanied illegal minors have left the federal government scrambling to triage the results of its failed border security and immigration policies.

"This is precisely what happens when the federal govemment refuses to recognize its responsibility for our nation's immigration and border security, and fails to immediately work with the countries of origin to return these unaccompanied illegal minors to their homes. On a recent conference call, a member of your own administration indicated that fewer than 10 percent are deported.

"To be clear, Texas has been working diligently to protect the immediate health and safety of our citizens and the unaccompanied minors now in our state.

"However, by failing to take immediate action to return these minors to their countries of origin and prevent and discourage others from coming here, the federal government is perpetuating the problem.

"Inaction encourages other minors to place themselves in extremely dangerous situations. The vast majority of these unaccompanied illegal minors come from Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras, as well as Mexico.

"In the first six months of this fiscal year, reports indicate more than 5,200 unaccompanied minors have crossed the border illegally into the United States, with more than 1,300 arriving in March alone. This represents an increase of more than 90 percent over the same period last year. On their journey, they are exposed to violent and ruthless criminal organizations and many are robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, seriously injured or even killed.

"But the dangers don't end there for them, or for our citizens. Recently, dozens of these minors have had to be quarantined due to a measles scare and an outbreak of chicken pox, providing a warning of the additional risks this situation poses.

"These unaccompanied illegal minors should be cared for in their home countries, rather than burdening our already unsustainable entitlement systems. Projections indicate the number ofillegal crossings will continue to increase. With no long-term plan to address this situation, thefederal government is simply ignoring the fiscal, health and social interests of our own citizens.

"We cannot and should not be held responsible for the citizens of other nations.
Every day of delay risks more lives. Every child allowed to remain encourages hundreds moreto attempt the journey. Our country can no longer provide the temptation for theseunaccompanied minors to engage in this tragic and illegal migration.

"To end it, the federal government must stop new arrivals at the border, repatriate those already here and prevent anddiscourage others.

"I have asked my staff to further work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to determine the extent of this situation and seek answers to questions your administration has thusf ar been either unwilling or unable to answer.

"I urge you to begin immediate consultation with governments of the countries of origin. These nations must assume responsibility for their own citizens, recognizing that they have the power and ability to prevent this dangerous situation.

"This must stop, Mr. President, and it is your responsibility to make that happen."

Perry Faults Obama for Rise in Illegal Immigrant Children

Migrant teens risk their lives to reach the Texas border

by ANGELA KOCHERGA
WFAA
Posted on May 13, 2012 at 9:57 PM

MONTERREY, Mexico — Federal authorities in Mexico are investigating a mass murder after 49 headless bodies were dumped on highway leading to the Texas border. Investigators say identifying the victims will be difficult since the bodies were missing their heads, hands and feet.

These days, even though the risky road north to the Texas border is more dangerous than ever, young immigrants still make the trip.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry sent a letter to President Obama complaining that the state is coping with a surge in illegal immigrants who are minors traveling alone.

At a migrant shelter in Monterrey, young men shared tips and horror stories about what lies ahead on the road to Texas.

Casa del Migrante, a shelter run by the Catholic Church, is a temporary safe haven for weary travelers who need a hot meal and a place to rest for a few days. Most are from Central America.

"I want to study and get ahead," said Jesus Calderon, a baby-faced immigrant from Honduras who is making his way to Houston.

His birth certificate shows he’s barely 16, but Jesus uses his brother’s identification card to pass for 18. He says “plenty” of other young migrants do the same thing in case they are caught by Mexican authorities.

"I spoke to my mother just now, and she said to be careful on the road... to beware of the Zetas," Jesus said.

Other young men staying at the shelter echo the teen’s concern.

"They say the road to the border is dangerous," said Aaron Alvarado, also from Honduras, his eyes widening. He is 20 years old, but he looks more like a teenager.

"I was about to turn back. I cried for my mother," Alvarado said.
He’s traveling with his cousin, who convinced him to keep going. The two hope to make it to Austin or Houston to work and send money home to help their families.

They and others at the Monterrey shelter make life-and-death decisions about which route to the Texas border is the least dangerous.

They had planned to cross through Nuevo Laredo, but four men who left the shelter a few days earlier returned and told the others they were kidnapped by the Zetas drug gang along with a group of 60 migrants.

The men said they managed to escape when their captors fell asleep. Most of the migrants planned to continue their journey, including 16-year-old Jesus Calderon.

As he prepared to leave for the Texas border he told his mother, "Put your faith in God. I will get across."
Migrant teens risk their lives to reach the Texas border | wfaa.com Dallas - Fort Worth