6 Cities React to Illegal Immigrants in Their Communities
Kelsey Lucas / Philip Wegmann /
An influx of illegal and unaccompanied immigrant children from Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador in U.S. border towns is causing the federal government to look elsewhere around the country to house them. But many Americans oppose the placement of illegal immigrants in their communities.
1. Granjeno, Texas
Honduran teen Ernesto Orellano was wondering how to reach the McAllen bus 10 miles away when he was apprehended by Border Patrol. (Photo via Tim Gaynor Twitter)
“In the past month I’ve seen it everyday, you gotta draw the line somewhere… This can’t go on forever.” — David Gara, Texas
Gara lives on the border, and although he thinks something must be done to stop the crossings, he admitted to the New York Daily News he prefers the children immigrants to the drug smugglers.
2. Columbus, Ohio
A noon protest at the Ohio Statehouse Friday afternoon is a “reaction to the recent surge in unaccompanied minors arriving in the U.S. through the southern border,” the Columbus Dispatch reported.
Arzella Melnyk, coordinator of the Ohio Grassroot Rally Team, is urging Ohio Gov. John Kasich to put Ohio residents first. (Photo: Ohio Grassroots Rally Team Facebook)
The issue is “hitting a chord with people.” –Tom Zawistowski, Ohio
3. Murrieta, California
A demonstrator at a protest near the entrance to the U..S. Border Patrol facility in Murrieta, Calif., on July 7, 2014. (Photo: Newscom)
“I’m a patriot first. I love California. I’m of Mexican descent, but I’m an American first. And as Americans we need to unite and stop what’s going on in this country.” –Raul Rodriguez, Jr., Calif.
According to a report by Color Lines, Rodriguez is the son of an immigrant but made it “clear that he’s an American above all else” during Murrieta Border Patrol Station protests.
4. Oracle, Arizona
About 65 demonstrators gathered near the small town of Oracle in Arizona to speak out against the surge of Central Americans into their community. Protestors say their communities are at risk.
According to Fox News Latino, anger quickly grew after Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu told residents that immigrant children from Central America caught crossing the border illegally into the U.S. would be placed at the Sycamore Canyon Academy in Oracle. (Photo: Lauren Reimer via Twitter)
“We don’t know who they are. We don’t know their health conditions. We don’t know a doggone thing because the federal government isn’t telling us anything.” –Robert Skiba, Arizona
Up the road, other Oracle residents protested the protest. Immigrant-rights groups also attended and counter-protested, Fox News Latino reported.
Deanna Martinez of Oracle holds up a sign that reads ‘Welcome’ in Spanish. (Photo via Nancy Wiechec Twitter)
5. Vassar, Michigan
Protest scene outside Vassar City Hall. (Photo: Tom Gilchrist via Twitter)
More than 50 people from across Michigan marched from Vassar City Hall to Wolverine Human Services’ Pioneer Work and Learn Center to protest the 12- to 17-year-old Central American illegal immigrant males who might get placed in their community temporarily for housing, Mlive.com reported.
“We’re not against kids. We have sympathy for the kids being used and exploited by the feds.” –Tamyra Murray, Michigan
6. Lawrenceville, Virginia
In late June, news of busloads of thousands of unaccompanied immigrant children and teens who scheduled to arrive in the town of 1,400 “didn’t go over well” and the plan was ultimately scrapped.
St. Paul’s College, an empty college in Lawrenceville, Va. (Photo: Peter Williams via Twitter)
“I was just shocked. The way this process has been handled puts more fear in our eyes, because it’s been shoved down our throat….500 kids unaccounted for — illegal alien children in my little sleepy town — I just don’t think it’s the right fit for this community.”–Brian Roberts, Brunswick County Sheriff
NPR, met up with the Lewis family who live across from St. Paul’s College.
“The No. 1 concern we have is the potential for shenanigans and the potential for crime.”–Derek Lewis
Read more about the crisis at the border: