McALLEN, Texas – Confronted by a child immigration crisis in South Texas, Texas Gov. Rick Perry told the U.S. House committee on Homeland Security Thursday, "The world is watching."
The committee is gathering testimony, trying to stem the tide of tens of thousands children who are entering the country illegally -- the majority of whom are traveling alone from Central America.
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But the bipartisan committee also is grappling with what to do with an estimated 50,000 young arrivals.
"Some may think by allowing them to stay here, that it's a more humane option. I assure you, it is not," Perry said. "Allowing them to remain here will only encourage the next group of individuals to make this very dangerous, life-threatening journey."
U.S. Rep. Mike McCaul of Houston, who chairs the committee, said those who are coming are at the mercy of cartel-controlled smugglers.
"As a father of five, I cannot fathom handing my child over to a criminal element," McCaul said.
And yet, Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, a committee member also from Houston, said many are fleeing violent gangs that kill children if they refuse to join them.
"What would any of us do as parents, we would take them and we would flee," said Jackson Lee.
In terms of enforcement, Perry said he still wants to see more National Guard on the border.