Migrant Kids Now Draw Protest in Ariz.

We don't know if they're 'choirboys or gang members': organizer
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 15, 2014 9:43 AM CDT
Migrant Kids Now Draw Protest in Ariz.
People from both sides of the issue argue across police lines during an immigration demonstration outside the Border Patrol facility Friday, July 4, 2014 in Murrieta, Calif.   (AP Photo/The Arizona Republic, David Kadlubowski)

In the wake of a protest in Murrieta, Calif., demonstrators are preparing a similar greeting for child migrants headed to a town in Arizona. Some 40 to 60 undocumented kids are due to arrive today in Oracle, Ariz., where a private facility in the town of 3,700 will be providing them with shelter, NBC News reports. Up to 500 people, led by a local resident, are planning to protest the move. "We're supposed to be having a transparent government, but this deal was cut in the cover of darkness," says Robert Skiba.

The Pinal County sheriff's office learned of the kids' arrival via federal "whistle-blowers," says a rep. It plans to send deputies to the Sycamore Canyon Academy facility: "We already have our hands full fighting the drug cartels and human smugglers. We don't need unaccompanied juveniles from Central America being flown into Arizona, compliments of President Obama," says Sheriff Paul Babeu, per the Arizona Republic. Even if federal officials had sought comment, Skiba notes, he'd probably oppose the plan. "Who knows who these boys are, whether they're choirboys or … gang members?" he asks. "If I was a jihadi terrorist and I wanted to get into America, this is the way to do it." (More Arizona stories.)

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