Medford, Ore. — Southern Oregon activists like Michelle Glass with Oregon Action, are following developments on the nation’s southern border. She and others are watching what’s being called a humanitarian crisis as floods of immigrant children enter the United States.
Thousands of unaccompanied kids have already crossed the U.S. and Mexico border, busloads at a time, trying to get away from violence and chaos in their home countries. Most of the immigrants are coming from Central America.
As the surge continues, activists are becoming more concerned about the state of immigration.
“These are horrific situations and I think as a parent myself, I would want the U.S. to respond to this as a humanitarian crisis and I would want our leaders…to say okay enough is enough,” said Glass.
At this point, it seems both sides of the political aisle are saying the same thing, but have different ways they want to deal with the crisis.
“Put those National Guard troops on the border and truly send a powerful message that the border is in fact secure,” said Governor Rick Perry who is a Republican in Texas.
Later, the President said he would consider Perry’s proposal, but also pushed Congress to buy-in on his idea, asking for almost $4-billion in emergency spending.
“The challenge is, is Congress prepared to act to put the resources in place to get this done,” said President Barack Obama.
What Congress decides to do next is anyone’s guess. However, the continuing crisis which affects immigrant families across the U.S. and in Oregon, has Glass and her fellow activists at Oregon Action, frustrated.
Glass said a big part of her concern involves families that are separated. For example, when one spouse works in the U.S. and something happens to the other spouse in another country, leaving children stranded with no place to go.
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