Asylum or deportation for unaccomapanied children?

World Today

Asylum or deportation for unaccomapanied children?

In Washington, politicians are up against an end of the month deadline to come up with short term solutions for the border crisis. The Congress goes into recess for the month of August so they need to pass any new laws before then. CCTV’s Jim Spellman has more

Asylum or deportation for unaccomapanied children?

In Washington, politicians are up against an end of the month deadline to come up with short term solutions for the border crisis. The Congress goes into recess for the month of August so they need to pass any new laws before then. CCTV's Jim Spellman has more

Republicans in the House of Representatives have a plan that would make it easier to deport these unaccompanied minors that have been streaming across the border- over 50,000 since last October.

The Republican plan would also send National Guard troops to secure the border, these are essentially U.S. troops that are allowed to operate within the United States.

A key focus of the debate is a 2008 law meant to curb human trafficking by giving any unaccompanied minor detained by immigration official’s due process, essentially their day in court and the possibility of asylum in the U.S. This has contributed to the long delays in processing these children.

Meantime, democrats-President Obama’s party-have objections about changing the law and some want the deportations of these minors to end completely.

The White House seems to be signaling some openness to revisions in the law, but for now they are focused on streamlining the process and speeding up deportations.

The White house is asking for about $3.75 Billion to care for the children detained at the border and to fast track processing and potential deportations. The Republican plan calls for about $2 Billion.