Influx of Central American refugees into the US

Insight

While much of the world’s attention has been focused on the flow of refugees from Syria, a steady stream of immigrants continues to pour into the United States.

Many of them from Central America and most of them requesting asylum. A large proportion of those new arrivals are children, who pose a serious social challenge.

CCTV America’s Hendrik Sybrandy reports.

Alex Iglesias was 15 years old when he left El Salvador to build a new and better life in America. It was a difficult journey. Much of it was made on foot. Everyday comforts were scarce.

He traveled with a group of migrants. Too often it was every man for him at places like water crossings.

And yet people keep coming, many of them unaccompanied children. Over 20,000 minors under the age of 18 crossed the U.S.-Mexico border without parents between last October and February of this year. Most of them fled Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador.

Once people reach the border, most of these immigrants ask for asylum in the U.S. Officials search for a relative or a friend they can live with. Many of them end up in federal detention centers.

Fifteen years after he arrived in the U.S., Alex, who has what’s called Temporary Protected Status, continues to provide for his family in El Salvador.

Many others are now traveling the same road he did.


Human rights expert Sarnata Reynolds on Central American refugees into the US

For what degree is this threat of violence pushing people, especially youth out of Central America and into places like the United States? CCTV America’s Mike Walter spoke to Sarnata Reynolds.

She’s the director of a firm which helps organizations and foundations maximize their influence. It’s called Strategy for Humanity.