U.S. Predicts Up To 80,000 Children From Central America Will Cross Mexican Border Without Parents
FEYERICK: The U.S. predicts that up to 80,000 children from Central America will cross the Mexican border into the U.S. this year without their parents. American officials warn of an impending humanitarian crisis if this influx is not stopped quickly. The Obama administration hopes that cash will actually do the job. Vice president Biden was in Guatemala yesterday to confer with Central American leaders about the $250 million in emergency aid the U.S. is putting up. CNN's Rosa Flores joins us from New York. And Rosa, how is this money supposed to stop this flow of unaccompanied children into the United States?</s>ROSA FLORES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: You know, it's a very complicated issue. And from being in Honduras on the ground and talking to people about the roots of issue and the roots off the issue that run so deeply in this country, I find it difficult to believe that $250 million really are going to solve the issue. Because if you think about it, with this $250 million what they'd have to do, a, they'd have to provide jobs for people. There's a lot of poverty. Honduras itself, 65 percent of people there are in poverty. Two, there are infiltrated, these countries but the</s>FEYERICK: The terrible gangs.</s>FLORES: Terrible gangs. People live in fear. I talked to a lot of people in these communities who would say, you know, you're sitting at home, all of a sudden, dozens of men rush into your house. They put a gun to your head, they take everything you have. And you don't have an option otherwise. They'll just shoot you if you even say a word. And so there's the violence as well. And then the other thing that they tell me that runs even deeper is a culture of migration. So imagine this. Children grow up thinking, seeing that if you want to do something with your life, you've got to migrate north because there's nothing for you in your country. So it's a change of mentality and a change of culture that would have to happen in order for people to think it's OK to stay in their country.</s>FEYERICK: We talk about this $250 million. Is the government -- is the U.S. government proposing that's a stipend that goes to these people? Are they talking about job creation? What are they planning to use the money for specifically?</s>FLORES: Yes. So there's a boost in the economy. They're helping people reintegrate into their communities. They're talking about crime prevention, safety. And so, it does go into some of these areas that need help. Do these $250 million solve the issue?</s>FEYERICK: Doesn't sound like it.</s>FLORES: Yes, from people I talked to who are there, they say, no. I mean, it would be great help. They say, you know, it's always great you receive this money and, you know, it's funneled into these areas who at-risk youth is also going add refuge, which is great. But will it solve the issue, probably not.</s>FEYERICK: Probably not. But nobody has any sense that the ms-13, these gang members, will actually let these people keep this money. It's the easiest shakedown in the whole world.</s>FLORES: Well, that's the other thing. There is a lot of Russians as well.</s>FEYERICK: Exactly.</s>FLORES: So, it's a very complicated issue.</s>FEYERICK: Seems like a drop in the bucket. Goodwill, maybe charity, but certainly not enough to change the situation. Rosa Flores, thank you so much. Really fascinating. We appreciate that.</s>FLORES: You are welcome.</s>FEYERICK: Well, U.S. advisers are set to land in Iraq soon. What if any action will they recommend that the U.S. take to resolve the situation? And realistically, can anything be done to stop the fighting that's been going on there for centuries. Our special coverage of the crisis in Iraq is going to begin after this.