A Forgotten Issue about the Border Crisis?

Susan Knowles

By Susan Knowles

Reprinted with Permission by The Common Sense Show

Over the past several weeks, I have found myself struggling with an issue concerning the well-being of the children who have illegally come here from Honduras, Guatemala and elsewhere.  While I know that not all who are here illegally are children, the focus of this article is specifically about the children.

Also, I want to point out that I am opposed to anyone entering this country illegally and that those who come here illegally, with few exceptions, must be returned to their own country.

Having said that, my specific issue, which I will elaborate more on in a moment, became more of a concern to me after listening to Glenn Beck Monday morning talk about his weekend trip down to McAllen, Texas.

Beck and his crew, along with several U.S. Senators, like Ted Cruz and Louie Gohmert, visited the center where the illegal immigrants are being housed.

Beck began his monologue with some disturbing descriptions about where and how these children are being housed.  He indicated that it is reminiscent of WWII Internment camps.

He then went on to describe a horrific story that had been relayed to him by Senator Ted Cruz about a 15 year old quadriplegic boy who had been abandoned by the drug cartel before reaching the center where the children are staying.

Beck said that the temperature, on the day he and his crew visited McAllen, Texas, was approximately 110 degrees. He added that this teenaged boy would have surely died under those conditions had he not been rescued because he lacked water and a way to provide for himself.

Beck also revealed that what is going on where the children are being housed is, “Damn near crimes against humanity.  We are crushing these children.”

Beck further described these “detention centers” as being able to house approximately 200 to 400 people maximum, yet, he said there were approximately “2500 children” being housed at the center in McAllen, Texas. Beck went on to say that the detention centers were like the “Superdome of Katrina.” Clearly, being housed in a location that is over capacity presents a potential health and safety hazard for these children.

Additionally, Beck also described the process that FEMA utilizes in caring for these children. Beck reported that the children were initially segregated by age. According to Beck, this meant that families were separated if they were of different ages. Siblings were torn apart from each other for at least a week before being reunited. During their separation, Beck said, “No one can touch or hug the kids.”  Also, during this time, he said, “No one from religious organizations are allowed in.”

After being reunited, according to Beck, these children are then “put on a bus, dropped off at a greyhound bus depot and told not to talk to anyone.”

Having heard Beck’s descriptions of how these children are being ‘cared for’ by the federal government, my concern is the treatment of these children while in the care of the United States.

The question then becomes, are these children being abused by the federal government?

According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) website, Child Protective Services (CPS) caseworkers investigate reports of child abuse or neglect to determine whether any child in the reported family has been abused or neglected. They are also required to determine if there are any threats to the safety of all children in the home. If CPS concludes that children aren’t safe, then the caseworker starts protective services.

Based upon what I heard Beck say Monday, on both his radio show and afternoon show, there appears to be enough evidence to, at the very least, require CPS to investigate the conditions under which these children are living.

Some may argue that this is not a situation for CPS because these children are not American citizens and therefore, CPS is not accountable to protect them. Others may state that this is not a typical ‘home’ environment to which CPS generally responds and therefore, does not fall under their jurisdiction.

Still others may claim that their parents are not here and/or that this is the U.S. Federal Government and not a parent/child situation that can or should be investigated by CPS.

My response to all of the possible arguments would be that these are still minor children in our country who need protection and that regardless of who may possibly be abusing them, there should be an investigation.

We know from reports in the media, and even from Beck’s statements today, that people are not being allowed in to see the conditions these children are living under. This is an even bigger red flag to me that indicates some type of abuse may be occurring and being concealed from the public eye.

If CPS doesn’t have the authority to investigate the federal government, then are we saying that we will give the federal government a pass and not protect children? If not CPS, then some agency like CPS must be required to investigate reports of possible abuse.

If the federal government will not allow an investigation, then we have a much bigger problem on our hands. If we do nothing about it, then we are saying that we are okay with allowing children to possibly be abused by our government.

Additionally, anyone in the state of Texas who is a mandated reporter that heard Beck’s report today, is legally obligated to file a report with the Texas DFPS alleging child abuse. This would also include anyone in Beck’s entourage that is a mandated reporter, such as an attorney, who heard Beck make these statements.

Even assuming, no mandated reporter comes forward to do their duty, if anyone at DFPS heard the same report by Beck then they are obligated to investigate without receiving a report, in my opinion.

We the people must demand of our government that they obey the laws. If we turn a blind eye to what may be happening, either because we don’t want to get involved or because we are angry that these children were allowed to come here illegally in the first place, then we cannot complain about a corrupt government.

We must not allow child abuse in our country, period! Demand that CPS investigate the living conditions of children to ensure that they are not being neglected or emotionally abused. Enough of the secrecy that may be hiding the mistreatment of children while on American soil.

We as Americans need to work to resolve issues instead of waiting for our government to take the appropriate actions. Call the DFPS hotline or contact them via the Internet and ask them to investigate the abuse that may be happening to these children in McAllen, Texas.

For more information please visit Susan Knowles’ website

 ABOUT SUSAN KNOWLES

From Susan’s Website About Page:  I am here to give you my perspective and to STAND FOR THE TRUTH.  I believe that Life has no meaning unless it is lived in truth!

By way of introduction, I am a former practicing California attorney and Licensed Psychotherapist.  I am also an author.  My political fiction, “Freedom’s Fight: A Call to Remember” can be found on Amazon.

I will also post videos on this website and on my YouTube channel – Susan Knowles.  I hope that you will subscribe and follow me on Twitter as well, at @SusanKnowles.

I value your comments and your time.  I hope you will join me in taking a stand today so that we will have a better tomorrow!

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