President Obama and Congress are struggling to make progress on immigration reform as a surge of children are arriving at the U.S. border, many on their own, after long journeys from Central America.
This week we'll tackle a discussion of the economic and political causes of this mass migration—and the impacts on New Mexico communities seeing an influx of migrants.
We'd like to hear from you! Email callinshow@kunm.org, post your comments online or via Twitter @KUNMNews, or call in live during the show.
Host: Gwyneth Doland
Guests:
- Beatrice Villegas, Director of the Center for Refugee Settlement and Support, Catholic Charities
- Rebecca Kitson, Albuquerque attorney specializing in immigration law, instructor at the UNM School of Law
- Dr. William D. Stanley, Chair of the UNM Political Science Department
Resources & Articles:
- Pew Research Center Poll: “Surge of Central American Children Roils U.S. Immigration Debate”
- Winthrop Quigley commentary, The Albuquerque Journal: “Past U.S. policies helped fuel immigration crisis”
- Gen. John F. Kelly op-ed: "Central America drug war a dire threat to national security”
- New York Times: “Immigrant Surge Rooted in Law to Curb Child Trafficking”
- Santa Fe New Mexican: “Detention center puts immigration spotlight on New Mexico town”
- Associated Press: “Immigrants in New Mexico deported to Central America”
- Associated Press; “Artesia immigrant center may open for year, housing hundreds of mothers, children from Central America"