Obama seeks $2bn to tighten borders

US President Barack Obama is seeking $2 billion in emergency funds to help stem an influx of children and other migrants from Central America to the United States illegally, a White House official says.

Obama will also ask for broader powers to deal with undocumented immigrant children apprehended by US forces while traveling without their parents, the official said on Saturday, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The US president is likely to make the requests to Congress in a letter to be sent on Monday.

“On Monday we will inform Congress that we will be asking them to work with us to ensure that we have the legal authorities to maximize…our efforts,” the official said.

The official said that details of the appropriation will come after members of Congress return from their holiday recess on July 7.

Obama will also ask that Homeland Security Department have powers to implement “fast track” measures to deport young unaccompanied migrants.

“He is going to get a fight on this one,” said Kevin Appleby, migration policy director for the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. “It could result in vulnerable children being sent back to real danger and possible harm or death.”

Since October last year, some 52,000 unaccompanied children have tried to cross into the United States using its southern border in what Obama called a “humanitarian crisis.”

In an interview on Thursday, Obama warned parents in Central America not to send their children to the US border.

“Do not send your children to the borders,” Obama told ABC News. “If they do make it, they’ll get sent back. More importantly, they may not make it.”

GJH/HRJ

 

Source Article from http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2014/06/29/369134/obama-seeks-2bn-to-tighten-borders/

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