Central American Immigrants Flood Border, Confound Officials

President Obama acknowledged today there will be no meaningful immigration reform in Congress this year, and announced he was taking executive action on the issue. He cited the big spike in migrant children being stopped and detained at the border. Jill Replogle covers the US-Mexico border for KPBS in San Diego.

The president also called the situation at the US-Mexico border “a humanitarian crisis.” Tens of thousands of migrant children are traveling from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to escape horrific gang violence and drug cartels. But even before the recent wave, the LA region has been home to many Central American children and teens who came illegally. Many are re-united with family members while they await legal proceedings. What happens to those who make it past border control or are released into custody? KCRW producer Jenny Hamel has this report.