Latest Immigration Firestorm Touches Oklahoma

Saturday, July 12th 2014, 3:15 pm

By: News 9

Latest Immigration Firestorm Touches Oklahoma

As hundreds of immigrant children stay at a temporary shelter at the Fort Sill Army Post near Lawton, some Oklahoma leaders say they are concerned a broad agreement on the nation's immigration policy won't be reached this year.

7/10/2014 Related Story: Kelly Ogle Goes Behind The Scenes At Fort Sill

Oklahoma has become a temporary home for unaccompanied Central American children flowing into the country. The immediate crisis is prompting President Barack Obama to push for $3.7 billion in emergency funding, a request that has gotten a cool reception from Oklahoma's all-Republican delegation.

Republican U.S. Rep. Tom Cole says he doesn't see the current situation serving as an impetus for broader immigration reform and is joining a growing GOP call for faster deportation.

7/11/2014 Related Story: U.S. Rep. Tom Cole: Extension Likely For Fort Sill Shelter

Federal officials say 57,000 unaccompanied minors have arrived since October. Most are from El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.