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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Debunking Myths About Flood of Central American Children

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Wednesday, July 16, 2014   

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - There are many questions around why thousands of Central Americans leave their families, set off alone and risk their lives in an attempt to reach the United States.

One woman that made such a journey wants to shine a light on the issue. Kenia Calderon was just 11 when her family fled El Salvador nine years ago, after their neighborhood was overrun by gangs, crime and a general feeling of despair.

"The violence was horrible," remembered Calderon. "You didn't feel safe. Gang members would kidnap girls and force them into the gangs, make them be sex slaves."

Calderon rejected the notion that children are sent to the U.S. by their parents because they think a window of lax border enforcement has opened up. She said children subjected to rampant daily violence and horrific conditions are forced to grow up very quickly.

"They're the ones making the decision," said Calderon. "Sometimes they just tell their family, 'I'm coming, be ready,' because they cannot wait for anything. They know that nothing's going to change to better their lives."

Calderon said the record-high number of deportations under the Obama Administration is well-known in Central America. But many desperate youths still feel migration is their best hope. Children have been fleeing countries in Central America for several years, a fact well-documented by groups such as the Pew Hispanic Trust.

"I feel like we all should be looking for another solution that will help these kids," said Calderon. "This is a cry for help. Something must be done, not because they want to win the next election, but because we are humans."

Calderon said the economic and political situations in many Central American countries have deteriorated because their economies have failed to produce jobs, leading to hopelessness and violence. In El Salvador, police report that, so far this year, murders of children are up 77 percent. A city in northwestern Honduras has the world's highest homicide rate.

This story was made possible in part by the Voqal Fund.


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