ALICIA A. CALDWELL
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Homeland Security Secretary Jeh (jay) Johnson says the government is giving humanitarian aid to immigrant children caught trying to cross the Southern border illegally without their parents. But he says it’s dangerous for families to send their children unaccompanied to America.

Johnson told reporters Thursday that children are being cared for humanely as the Obama administration scrambles to handle the spike in young border crossers traveling alone.

More than 47,000 children have been apprehended at the Mexican border since the start of the budget year in October. Most are from Central America.

Johnson says it’s not safe for children and there is no free pass for young immigrants who try to cross the border illegally.

He says the government is not doing anything to encourage illegal immigration.

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