Unaccompanied Minors Crossing the Border by the Thousands

First Things published my essay Tragic Compassion on the origins of our current crisis at the border.

Here is the beginning of the essay: "The Department of Homeland Security estimates that 90,000 unaccompanied minors will be apprehended attempting to enter the United States this year, up from 40,000 last year. DHS expects the number to grow to more than 140,000 next year. Ranging in age from six to 17, many of these minors travel more than 1,700 treacherous miles from Honduras across Guatemala and Mexico.

Overwhelming immigration authorities, many unauthorized entrants are released into the United States on the promise to report to immigration authorities, although federal authorities lack the will and the resources to ensure follow through. Others are being or will be housed on military bases in California, Oklahoma, and Texas. At least in the short term, there are concerns about adequate housing, health care, education, sanitation, food, and supervision as detention facilities attempt to cope with the influx. 

Misguided compassion led directly to this tragedy. How did we get here?"