Many in our state are closely watching events in Vassar, Michigan.The community 65 miles northeast of Lansing in Genesee County could become the temporary home of 60 to 120 mostly young refugees from Central America.A human services agency, Wolverine Human Services, is offering to temporarily house and care for the arrivals.
On Monday, that proposal spurred about 50 protesters, some waving flags and carrying guns, who called for an end to what they described as “an invasion.”The asylum seekers are part of a dramatic increase in young people seeking refuge in the United States. Many are fleeing drug-related gang violence in Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador. More than 50,000 unaccompanied minors have appeared at the U.S. border so far this year.
Our next guest represents Vassar in Congress. Democratic Representative Dan Kildee hopes the U.S. Health and Human Services agency accepts Wolverine’s offer. To explain why and to discuss other aspects of this complicated and emotional issue, Current State speaks with Congressman Dan Kildee.