A young boy is helped down from a freight car as Central American migrants board a northbound freight train in Ixtepec, Mexico, July 2014. The Rocky Mountain states have taken in less than 1 percent of the more than 100,000 unaccompanied minors who crossed the border from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras since the fall of 2013. The bulk — 860 — have ended up in Colorado. (Eduardo Verdugo, Associated Press file)
Re: 860 migrant kids from Central America land in Colorado, May 3 news story.
I am very happy that Colorado can be a new home for children fleeing violence and poverty in Central America. These children are fleeing harm from situations that are not of their making, and they deserve our support. The causes of this situation are long-standing, including failed U.S. policies in Central America.
I hope that as a community we can provide safe environments and support systems, as our country is uniquely situated to offer these children a new and better life. Additionally, our policies must reflect a commitment to protecting children, just and humane immigration policy that recognizes the root causes of migration, and keeping all families together.
I ask people everywhere to raise their voices for compassion for these children, their families, and communities; and that in a time of divisive rhetoric Colorado can be an example of supporting, welcoming and protecting all of our community members.
Elizabeth Murphy, Denver
This letter was published in the May 7 edition.
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