On the recordJuly 21, 2014
we are facing a humanitarian crisis on our southern border. Thousands of migrants--the vast majority of them are children--fled to our border and other countries in the region to escape the growing violence in Central America. Most of these boys and girls come from three countries--Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala-- where crime and lawlessness have resulted in chaos and anarchy. Honduras is the murder capital of the world, with more murders per capita than any nation on the planet. El Salvador and Guatemala are right behind. These statistics are stunning. In fact, we know that virtually all the homicides in these countries take place in the same cities these kids are leaving. Migration has spiked in the neighboring countries, not just the United States, as people try to escape this untoward violence. Citizens of these three nations, though, are also imperiled by high rates of human trafficking, drug trafficking, sexual assaults, and widespread corruption. It is an understatement to say these are not safe places in which to live or to survive. Here is an article out of the New York Times, written by a woman by the name of Sonia Nazario, July 11--a new article. Here are just a few of the things she said: Cristian Reyes, an 11-year-old sixth grader in the neighborhood of Neuva Suyapa, on the outskirts of [the capital], tells me he has to get out of Honduras soon--``no matter what.'' He is an 11-year-old boy.…
