The federal government is asking states across the country to house some of the thousands of young children streaming to the United States’ southern border.States like Massachusetts and Vermont are considering federal requests to house the children while Washington processes them. Connecticut denied a request earlier this week. U.S. Senator Ed Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, says Congress needs to address overall immigration reform, not just pieces.
“Hopefully we can not be derailed by this humanitarian crisis on our border, but spurred rather by the very same situation to come together in a bipartisan fashion to pass comprehensive legislation,” said Markey.
An immigration reform bill passed by the Democratic-run Senate last year is yet to be acted in the Republican-controlled House.