The attraction for the "children," many of whom are teenagers, is that they are being reunited with their parent. There has been a large number of what they call family units, mothers with their children. If the 43% number is true, i.e., 43% of those coming across are joining their relatives, then this is the motivation. And there is no doubt that the signal sent by Obama's DACA amnesty in 2012 was that all you needed to do was to get here while under 16 and you can stay. In fact, that is a correct perception.
Historical ICE deportation records show a steady decline in the number of youths (under age 18) removed from 2008 to 2013. The number of Central American minors deported declined despite the increased number of minors arriving over the last several years. Ninety-four percent of the Central American minors deported in 2013 were originally arrested by the Border Patrol (not by ICE in the interior). The number of deported youths here refers to any alien aged 17 or younger at the time of deportation.
So specifically, what welfare benefits are the "children" seeking? Why are we not being flooded by Mexican children? Why the surge since 2012?
Many jobs have been lost since 2007 too. I doubt jobs have been greatest attraction since California started doling out the benefits bigtime, though it was for a long time.
Jobs with higher pay are THE attraction for adult legal immigrants and illegal aliens. Yes, both use welfare to a greater extent than the native born, but immigrants are getting the jobs and the native born are not getting the jobs. You can work and still receive welfare.
Besides, the welfare cases are the most devastating to the economy.
Our legal immigration policies import poverty. 20% of the adult legal immigrants lack a high school diploma. We have been bringing in 1.1 million legal immigrants for almost 25 years. And when you increase the supply of labor, you put more native born on welfare because the immigrants are taking their jobs and depressing wages.
I don’t think hardly any of these children have parents in this country yet. I think it’s the reverse. I think they want the kids here they’ll ship them to some phony “relative” - and then get their parents brought in later.
I don’t think hardly any of these children have parents in this country yet. I think it’s the reverse. I think they want the kids here they’ll ship them to some phony “relative” - and then get their parents brought in later.