Kids and the Border

I am 100% against amnesty for illegals. The current situation on the border, however, is disheartening, discouraging, unprecedented, and disgusting. Our porous border situation which has led hundreds of thousands of children to America, created by Barack Obama, has given me pause, and it has made me look at this particular situation in a new light.

As I look at the pictures of the kids piled up in rooms, the vast majority of them without parents, hearing stories of our border patrol changing diapers instead of protecting the borders, reading stories about an HHS order for clean underwear, it breaks my heart. Many of these kids don't know any better. Many of them are looking to get out of squalor in their own countries, while meeting equal squalor here in America once they are piled up in a room with others, given a number, and waiting for someone to care enough to come get them.

I took a little bit of action today. I called the Office of Refugee Settlement to see what is being done with these kids; to see if there was anything we could do for them. I asked if any were up for adoption, whether or not they could be fostered, and after a long process of asking the same questions to multitudes of indivdiuals in our vast government bureaucracy, I finally spoke with Elaine Kelley (202.205.4792).

Elaine stated the following:

• The kids are able to be fostered.
• They will only consider licensed foster families
• 90% of those currently housed in rooms will be united with family/sponsors already in America
• Foster care will generally be temporary - usually 30 days or less
• Just because they have family here already, they may not be released to them
• Family members/sponsors are put through relationship tests
• Family members/sponsors are given background checks by the FBI
• Family members/sponsors may not receive the children if they fail any aspect of the scrutiny given by the government
• In certain circumstances, attorneys representing the children can elongate the reunification process, should any preconditions not be met

I am not a licensed foster care provider, so I asked her what I needed to do to become licensed. Elaine stated that the ORR works with a couple of non-profits who have a network of licensed foster care providers within your state. Both are faith-based: The Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. She recommended to reach out to these organizations and they may have some information on how to help if foster care is not possible (currently) and how to get these kids coloring books, clothes, etc.

I guess my point in all of this is that these kids deserve to see how great Americans can be. I know that if my child ran away, I would pray that she was safe, warm, disease free, in a friendly environment, well taken care of, and under the care of a loving family. I would wonder constantly about her well-being, and I would want to make sure that she was given a great opportunity. My heart breaks for these kids. As a conservative, I hate what Obama has done to lure these children here, without their parents, to stack them into a room, put them on a bus, not give them any idea on what is going on, and to put them in a situation of wonder and hopelessness. As a Christian, I want to give them a great experience while they are here. I'm torn, I admit it. However, in the end, I know that the Christian in me wins over politics any day. 

I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way. So, if you are like me, please reach out to your state foster care agencies. Look up the faith based agencies that Elaine provided, and see if there is anything you can do to help. I know America will take this lemon and make lemonade, because that's what we do. We need to embrace these kids and show them how great we are, even if it's only for a little while. Hope this helps answer any questions you all may have, and I hope you all act in a caring way to support the kids who need help.