Homeland Security officials say 22,000 children crossed into the U.S. illegally in December -- a quarter of which were unaccompanied minors.
DHS blames the lack of a physical barrier coupled with legal loopholes for an influx of family units and unaccompanied children, according to a statement from spokesperson Katie Waldman to Breitbart.
“The Democratic lawmakers, all they complain about is the child being separated from the parents. Well I do bail bonds too and American citizens get their kids taken away when they commit crimes too, but you don't see any of the lawmakers complaining about that,” says Shannon McGauley, president of the Texas Minutemen.
Like President Donald Trump, McGauley believes walls do work.
“In the El Paso where they erected the fence, those people are enjoying security right now,” he says. “I can take any lawmaker and introduce them to the rangers, their husbands and wives, and they'll tell you with a fence it works, so with a wall it'll work better.”
DHS says the massive increase of minors has led to a number of referrals for medical treatment because of the stress of the journey and current flu season.
“They can build dorms for these children on the border, on the ranchers'properties and let the rangers have the dorms after the crisis is over,” says McGauley.