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Republicans attack White House over Texas immigration 'disaster' Republicans attack White House over Texas immigration 'disaster'
(2 months later)
Republicans on Sunday renewed their attacks on the Obama administration over the influx of central American migrants currently affecting Texas and Arizona, and said there could be no immigration reform until the border with Mexico was secured.Republicans on Sunday renewed their attacks on the Obama administration over the influx of central American migrants currently affecting Texas and Arizona, and said there could be no immigration reform until the border with Mexico was secured.
Leading figures from across the party's ideological spectrum united in blaming the White House for a surge in children which has overwhelmed government agencies and put the White House on the defensive. Leading figures from across the party's ideological spectrum united in blaming the White House for a surge in children which has overwhelmed government agencies and put the White House on the defensive.
Michael McCaul, who chairs the House of Representatives homeland security committee, said failed policies had produced “refugee camps" in his home state of Texas.Michael McCaul, who chairs the House of Representatives homeland security committee, said failed policies had produced “refugee camps" in his home state of Texas.
"I believe the failed border security strategy has resulted in this and I believe the message is if you came to the United States, you can stay,” he told NBC's Meet the Press."I believe the failed border security strategy has resulted in this and I believe the message is if you came to the United States, you can stay,” he told NBC's Meet the Press.
Other Republicans also took to the talk shows to link the influx of 52,000 unaccompanied children since October to a 2012 White House decision to grant temporary relief from deportation to some young undocumented people. Other Republicans also took to the talk shows to link the influx of 52,000 unaccompanied children since October to a 2012 White House decision to grant temporary relief from deportation to some young undocumented people.
In Texas' Rio Grande valley alone, the US border patrol has made more than 174,000 arrests – adults and children – since October. Most of those detained were from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.In Texas' Rio Grande valley alone, the US border patrol has made more than 174,000 arrests – adults and children – since October. Most of those detained were from Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
The overall number of border patrol apprehensions – one indicator of the flow of illegal immigration – has in fact tumbled compared to a decade ago. Even so, recent images of children and mothers in overcrowded, improvised shelters have further politicised and polarised the issue in Washington.The overall number of border patrol apprehensions – one indicator of the flow of illegal immigration – has in fact tumbled compared to a decade ago. Even so, recent images of children and mothers in overcrowded, improvised shelters have further politicised and polarised the issue in Washington.
Officials will fly nearly 300 migrants – mostly children and mothers – to California for processing in the next two days, to alleviate pressure on Texas.Officials will fly nearly 300 migrants – mostly children and mothers – to California for processing in the next two days, to alleviate pressure on Texas.
In a separate development, officials are investigating how the bodies of dozens of unidentified migrants ended up wrapped in bags and dumped with little or no ceremony in a Texas cemetery.In a separate development, officials are investigating how the bodies of dozens of unidentified migrants ended up wrapped in bags and dumped with little or no ceremony in a Texas cemetery.
"There's a humanitarian disaster,” said Senator Rand Paul, who is on the GOP's libertarian wing and is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2016. “It's because you have a beacon, forgiveness, and you don't have a secure border."There's a humanitarian disaster,” said Senator Rand Paul, who is on the GOP's libertarian wing and is seen as a potential presidential candidate in 2016. “It's because you have a beacon, forgiveness, and you don't have a secure border.
“I am for immigration reform but I insist that we secure the border first."“I am for immigration reform but I insist that we secure the border first."
Kevin McCarthy, a mainstream moderate and the newly elected House majority leader – replacing Eric Cantor, whose stance on immigration was cited by many as a factor in his shock primary defeat by a Tea Party backed challenger last week – repeated the mantra that the border must be secured before Congress considers immigration reform.Kevin McCarthy, a mainstream moderate and the newly elected House majority leader – replacing Eric Cantor, whose stance on immigration was cited by many as a factor in his shock primary defeat by a Tea Party backed challenger last week – repeated the mantra that the border must be secured before Congress considers immigration reform.
"I think that's a reasonable position,” he said, appearing on Fox News. “Until that's secure, you can't have an immigration debate.""I think that's a reasonable position,” he said, appearing on Fox News. “Until that's secure, you can't have an immigration debate."
McCarthy ruled out a pathway citizenship for the nation's 11 million undocumented migrants – a deal-breaker for many latino activists.McCarthy ruled out a pathway citizenship for the nation's 11 million undocumented migrants – a deal-breaker for many latino activists.
The Senate passed an immigration bill last year but Republicans blocked it in the House, citing porous borders. The Obama administration hoped to make another push for reform this year – a recurring promise to restive latino voters – but the influx of children has undermined an already weak bargaining position.The Senate passed an immigration bill last year but Republicans blocked it in the House, citing porous borders. The Obama administration hoped to make another push for reform this year – a recurring promise to restive latino voters – but the influx of children has undermined an already weak bargaining position.
The children are fleeing poverty and gang violence – with some reportedly impelled by rumours that a shift in policy meant unaccompanied minors could stay in the US indefinitely.The children are fleeing poverty and gang violence – with some reportedly impelled by rumours that a shift in policy meant unaccompanied minors could stay in the US indefinitely.
Obama has called the arrivals an urgent humanitarian crisis and sought to stem the flow with faster deportation decisions and the promise of additional aid to Guatemala and El Salvador, a message delivered in person by vice-president Joe Biden.Obama has called the arrivals an urgent humanitarian crisis and sought to stem the flow with faster deportation decisions and the promise of additional aid to Guatemala and El Salvador, a message delivered in person by vice-president Joe Biden.
The discovery of mass graves in a cemetery in Falfurrias, a small town 75 miles north of the Mexican border, has underlined the risks taken by migrants, notably dehydration and exposure, during desert treks.The discovery of mass graves in a cemetery in Falfurrias, a small town 75 miles north of the Mexican border, has underlined the risks taken by migrants, notably dehydration and exposure, during desert treks.
Scientists and students from Baylor University and the University of Indianapolis reportedly exhumed remains in rubbish bags and shopping bags – apparently the result of county budget constraints and poor oversight.Scientists and students from Baylor University and the University of Indianapolis reportedly exhumed remains in rubbish bags and shopping bags – apparently the result of county budget constraints and poor oversight.
Brooks County sheriff's chief deputy Benny Martinez told the Los Angeles Times he would meet the county judge and commissioners on Tuesday in Austin, to investigate the burials.Brooks County sheriff's chief deputy Benny Martinez told the Los Angeles Times he would meet the county judge and commissioners on Tuesday in Austin, to investigate the burials.