Immigration Reform 2014 News Update: Are Central American Children Being Deported Faster Than Before Immigration Crisis Began?

As the current child immigration crisis continues to be a problem Congress is unwilling to solve, many more children are returning home faster than before the crisis started, reports suggest. Public opinion is split with some leaning heavily on human rights, and others leaning towards sending the children back home. 

According to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC poll, many believed the Central American children attempting to immigrate here should be sent home.

"The poll found that 51 percent believed the migrants should be 'returned immediately'  while 43 percent said the U.S. has a responsibility to allow the children to stay if they are facing danger in their home countries," the Wall Street Journal reported.

Just under 60,000 unaccompanied children have illegally entered the United States since October. There are many who have been placed with sponsors or family friends, according to reports.

"The great majority are currently in states that already had large immigrant populations, such as Texas and California. In Rhode Island, just 119 have been placed individually with sponsors, far fewer than in Connecticut (325) and Massachusetts (773)," reports the Providence Journal.

While a 2008 law had allowed children arriving from Central America more time to work through immigration courts, however, Republicans are more likely to want to send the children directly home.  

The poll also said that those people who supported sending the children home agreed with the comment, "Allowing them to stay will be a signal that will encourage thousands more to try and come here, placing an even greater burden on limited public services such as hospitals and schools." 

Recent signs are showing that although legislators remain in a deadlock, the number of children sent home within a short period of time is increasing. Reuters reports that more than 40 Central American children were sent home less than a month ago, and there are most certainly more that will follow.