>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS - ON "ARIZONA HORIZON", OUR LEGISLATIVE UPDATE LOOKS AT ATTEMPTS BY LAWMAKERS TO RESTRICT CITIZEN INITIATIVE EFFORTS.

ON "CRONKITE NEWS", THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PHOENIX AND COVID-19 VACCINE TRIALS ON CHILDREN.

AND ON "BREAK IT DOWN", WHY SO MANY WOMEN ARE LEAVING THE WORKFORCE.

ALL THIS AND MORE AHEAD IN THE NEXT HOUR ON ARIZONA PBS.

[ ] >> GOOD EVENING AND WELCOME TO ARIZONA HORIZON.

I'M TED SIMONS.

THERE'S INCREASING CONCERN OVER THE RECENT SURGE OF MIGRANT CHILDREN AT THE SOUTHERN U.S. BORDER.

MORE THAN 4200 UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ARE NOW IN BORDER PATROL CUSTODY.

THAT'S A RECORD HIGH.

THE PBS NEWSHOUR REPORTS THAT IN JUST ONE DAY THIS WEEK, BORDER AUTHORITIES ENCOUNTERED MORE THAN 560 UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN AND CLOSE TO 1400 FAMILY MEMBERS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN IS PUBLICLY DISCOURAGING MIGRANTS FROM COMING TO THE U.S. WE WILL HAVE MUCH MORE ON THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER LATER IN THE SHOW.

COVID TESTING IN SCHOOLS GOT A $10-BILLION BOOST TODAY.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES ANNOUNCED THAT THE MONEY WILL GO TO STATES TO HELP SCHOOLS TEST TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND STAFF.

THE FUNDS ARE FROM THE LATEST COVID RELIEF BILL.

THE MOVE COMES AS ARIZONA BEGINS TO RE-OPEN SCHOOLS ACROSS THE STATE.

TODAY'S COVID REPORT SHOWS JUST 445 NEW CASES REPORTED.

THAT'S 5-STRAIGHT DAYS OF FEWER THAN A THOUSAND NEW CASES ON RECORD.

LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED WAS 5 MONTHS AGO.

THERE WERE 12 FATALITIES ADDED TO THE STATE'S DEATH COUNT.

THAT PUTS ARIZONA'S 7-DAY REPORT OF COVID FATALITIES AT 14TH HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY.

ALL THIS AS ARIZONA'S VACCINATION RATES CONTINUE TO INCREASE, AND THAT'S BIG, SAYS JOSH LABAER OF ASU'S BIO-DESIGN INSTITUTE.

>> WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THE VACCINES ARE REMARKABLY EFFECTIVE.

CERTAINLY THOSE AVAILABLE IN THE UNITED STATES.

IT IS EXCELLENT AMONG PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN VACCINATED.

THERE ARE NO REPORTED DEATHS DUE TO COVID-19 FROM PEOPLE FULLY VACCINATED.

>> ARIZONA'S IMPROVING COVID NUMBERS ARE IN CONTRAST TO MORE THAN A DOZEN OTHER STATES.

INCREASES IN CASES ARE REPORTED IN 14 STATES THIS WEEK.

HALF OF THOSE STATES ARE SHOWING JUMPS OF OVER 20 PERCENT, WITH MICHIGAN REPORTING A 50 PERCENT SPIKE.

AND THE 21-YEAR-OLD MAN CHARGED IN THE DEADLY SHOOTINGS AT THREE ATLANTA AREA SPAS THAT LEFT EIGHT PEOPLE DEAD, INCLUDING SIX WOMEN OF ASIAN DESCENT - THAT SUSPECT TOLD AUTHORITIES THAT HE COMMITTED THE CRIMES BECAUSE HE WAS A SEX ADDICT AND SAW THE SPAS AS TEMPTATION.

>> THE SUSPECT DID TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHOOTINGS.

HE DID THAT EARLY ON ONCE WE BEGAN THE INTERVIEWS WITH HIM.

HE CLAIMS - AND THE CHIEF SAID IT IS STILL EARLY, BUT THAT IT WAS NOT RACIALLY MOTIVATED.

HE APPARENTLY HAS AN ISSUE, WHAT HE CONSIDERS A SEX ADDICTION AND SEES THE LOCATIONS AS SOMETHING THAT ALLOWS HIM TO GO TO THESE PLACES AND IT'S A TEMPTATION FOR HIM THAT HE WANTED TO ELIMINATE.

>> NOT EVERYONE IS CONVINCED THAT RACE DIDN'T PLAY A PART IN THE CRIMES.

>> THE AAI COMMUNITY HAS BEEN LIVING IN FEAR OF VERBAL AND PHYSICAL ATTACKS, AND NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING DEADLY TRAGEDY OF RACISM AND VIOLENCE.

YESTERDAY'S CRIMES ARE BEYOND TERRIFYING.

BUT IT JUST BRINGS HOME TO SO MANY ASIAN AMERICANS, THAT THEY ARE FEARFUL OF THEIR LIVES IN CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE THEY WOULD OTHERWISE FEEL SAFE.

IN THEIR HOMES, AND AT THEIR JOBS.

>> THE SUSPECT WAS REPORTEDLY ON HIS WAY TO FLORIDA TO CARRY OUT ADDITIONAL SHOOTINGS.

TIME NOW FOR OUR WEEKLY LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

THIS WEEK IT'S THE DEMOCRATS TURN.

WE ASKED SENATE MINORITY LEADER REBECCA RIOS AND REPRESENTATIVE REGINALD BALDING, ABOUT THE CONTINUED FIGHT AT THE CAPITOL OVER ELECTION ISSUES AND OTHER CONCERNS.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU BOTH.

SENATOR, THE IDEA OF ATTEMPTING TO LIMIT CITIZEN INITIATIVES.

THE DRIVE, THE PETITION DRIVE, THE WHOLE NINE YARDS.

THE NUMBER OF ASPECTS AND BILLS, TALK ABOUT WHAT IS BEING DONE, AND YOUR RESPONSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY, WE SEE AN ONSLAUGHT OF BILLS AIMED AT VOTER SUPPRESSION WITH INDIVIDUAL VOTERS, AND ARE LOOKING AT REPUBLICANS ATTEMPTING TO PUT MORE OBSTACLES IN PLACE WITH REGARDS TO CITIZEN INITIATIVES.

THAT'S DIRECT DEMOCRACIES UNDER ATTACK, THEY ARE PROPOSING THAT INITIATIVES BROUGHT FORWARD BY CITIZENS, SHOULD HAVE TO PASS AT A 55% THRESHOLD AS OPPOSED TO A SIMPLE MAJORITY.

IT'S AIMED AT BILL EIGHT THAT WAS PASSED TO FUND PUBLIC EDUCATION, THAT INITIATIVE PASSED BY 52%.

HAD THIS BEEN EFFECT.

THAT WOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

AND THE WHOLE ARGUMENT IS THESE INITIATIVES ARE FUNDED BY OUT OF THE STATE SPECIAL INCIDENTS.

THIS IS NOT THE FACT.

IT WAS THE MOST ORGANIC MOVEMENT SEEN IN ARIZONA, IN ADDITION TO THAT THRESHOLD INCREASE, THEY ARE WANTING TO IN CHOIR THAT WHEN YOU OBTAIN SIGNATURES, THAT YOU READ THE DESCRIPTION TO EVERYONE THAT YOU ASK TO SIGN.

THESE ARE ROADBLOCKS MEANT TO SLOW DOWN AND DISCOURAGE PEOPLE TO SIGN PETITIONS, AND GETTING THE INITIATIVES PASSED AT THE BALLOT.

>> IS THERE TOO MUCH OUTSIDE MONEY INFLUENCE, ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS SO DIFFICULT TO CHANGE ONCE VOTERS APPROVE.

>> AS WE LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF INITIATIVES, ONE OF THE THINGS THIS WE SAW A REPUBLICANS MADE IT AN INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO GET ANY BALLOT.

ON THE BALLOT.

AND THEY DID THAT BECAUSE CITIZENS SAID WE HAVE ENOUGH, WE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU CONTINUOUSLY TAKING MONEY OUT OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, PUMPING IT IN.

WE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU MAKING CUTS TO THINGS LIKE 4-DAY KINDERGARTEN, WE HAD ENOUGH OF CUTTING REQUIREMENTS WITH REGARDS TO KIDS.

AND BECAUSE CITIZENS SAID WE ARE GOING TO PUT UP A MINIMUM WAGE, THIS IS A WAY TO PUNISH THE PUBLIC, REPUBLICANS DECIDED TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT.

AND I WOULD SAY LOOK AT OUTSIDE MONEY, AND WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN ARIZONA, WE KNOW REPUBLICANS HAVE DECIDED, AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE BIGGEST BENEFICIARIES OF THAT WHAT IS HAPPENING.

SO THE REALITY IS CITIZENS HAVE THE ABILITY TO DECIDE WHAT THEY WANT THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS TO BE.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE IDEA THAT THE LEGISLATURE CAN REWRITE OR REPEAL VOTER ENACTED LAW.

YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT MOVE.

>> AGAIN, THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.

THE CITIZENS HAVE TAKEN A LOT OF ISSUES INTO THEIR OWN HAND.

JUST ANOTHER QUAY TO TAKE AWAY THE POWER OF THE CITIZEN INITIATIVE.

I BELIEVE THIS FUELS A LOT OF MOTIVATION, WE HAVE A LAW GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS DOING AN END RUN ON PROP 208.

MAKING THAT TOP TIER TAXED, FROM PUBLIC EDUCATION, ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO TRY TO TAKE AWAY THE POWER OF THE PEOPLE.

>> I WANT YOU TO COMMENT ON THE ELECTION ISSUE, IT'S A CONSTANT FIGHT REGARDING THE LAST ELECTION.

QUALITY IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE QUALITY OF VOTES AS WELL.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS WHEN YOU HEAR THAT.

>> WE ARE SEEING SOME.

MOST EGREGIOUS AGGRESSIVE VOTER SUPPRESSION LAWS SEEN ACROSS THE COUNTY AND HISTORY, DATING BACK TO JIM GROW.

WE HAVE LAWS PROPOSED TO BRING IT BACK TO POLE TAXES, IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS ARE REQUIRED TO GET THE SIGNATURES NOTARIZED ON THE BALLOTS.

WAY WE ARE SEEING IS RIDICULOUS, AND WHAT I CAN TELL YOU AND WHAT MR KAVANAUGH SAID, IT'S A DIRECT ATTACK ON PEOPLE THAT DON'T VOTE FOR HIM.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE QUALITY OF THE VOTE.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN.

EVERY CITIZENS IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA, AND THIS COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE THE ABILITY TO CAST THEIR BATTLE.

THAT'S WHAT WE SHOULD PROTECT.

MORE ACCESS, AND NOT LIMIT IT.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.

AND KEN ON THE CNN INTERVIEW SAID DEMOCRATS VALUE AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE VOTING, AND ARE WILLING TO RISK FRAUD.

>> I THINK THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IF WE CONTINUE THE QUOTE.

HE WENT ON TO SAY EVERYONE SHOULDN'T BE VOTING, THAT'S THE CRUX OF THIS, THE REPUBLICANS WANTS TO DETERMINE WHO THAT EVERYBODY IS.

AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE LEGISLATION, IT'S TARGETED AT DEFICIENCIES OF DEMOCRATS.

LOOKING AT LOWER EVOCATION VOTERS, TARGETTING COMMUNITIES OF COLOUR, THE SAME AUTHORS THAT ARE PROMOTING A LOT OF THESE PIECES OF LEGISLATION.

AND AS WITH THE BALLOT HARVESTING VOTE.

THAT WAS TO DISENFRANCHISE COMMUNITIES OF COLOUR, THEY KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING, WHEN YOU CALL THEM OUT.

THEY ARE EXCITED AND UPSET ON THE FLOOR.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER.

THEY KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING.

I THINK KAVANAUGH'S COMMENTS - MANY ARE SHOCKED.

BUT WE KNOW, THAT IS THEIR MOTIVATION AND THEIR INTENT.

>> LAST QUESTION IS FOR YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

ARE DEMOCRATS DOING ENOUGH TO ENSURE VOTER SECURITY.

>> DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE - WE ARE FIGHTING EVERY DAY TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS HAVE THE ABILITY, EVERY ELIGIBLE VOTER HAS THE ABILITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE BALL O AND DO IS IN A WAY IN WHICH THEY DON'T HAVE TO OVERCOME SUPPRESSION.

THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REFORMS LANDING HERE IN THE STATE OF ARIZONA, BY THE DEMOCRATS AND OTHER COUNTY RECORDERS, LIKE BALLOT TRACKING, PROVIDING TIME TO TURN IN THE EARLY BALLOT.

THEY ARE GOOD THINGS, PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES, AUTOMATIC VOTER LEGISLATION, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IT IS PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

>> THANK YOU BOTH, WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> NEXT, A LOOK AT LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS TO FIGHT EXPANDED RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARDS.

>> REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS ARE LOOKING TO STRIP THE STATE CORPORATION COMMISSION FROM ENACTING AN EXPANDED RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD.

THAT EFFORT HAS STALLED FOR NOW, BUT CRITICS OF THE LEGISLATION, INCLUDING SANDY BAHR OF THE SIERRA CLUB AND REVEREND DOUG BLAND OF ARIZONA INTER-FAITH POWER, SAY IT'S NOT OVER YET.

>> THANK YOU BOTH FOR JOINING US, LEGISLATION LOOKING TO TRIPLE CORPORATION COMMISSION FROM PASSING NEW ENERGY RULES, RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARDS.

TALK TO US ABOUT THIS.

>> HOUSE BILL 22-48, AND SENATE BILL 1175 SEEK TO LIMIT THE CORPORATE COMMISSION'S ABILITY TO ENACT NOT ONLY THESE CLEAN ENERGY RULES, BUT FUTURE RULES, AND THEY SPECIFICALLY PROHIBIT THE COMMISSION FROM EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY REGULATING CARBON EMISSIONS, WHICH, YOU KNOW, WOULD AFFECT A LOT OF WHAT THE COMMISSION DOES.

WE THINK IT WOULD BE BEYOND CONSTITUTIONAL.

DEFINITELY THE LEGISLATURE IS TRYING TO ERECT A ROAD BLOCK TO THESE CLEAN ENERGY RULES THAT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION IS CONSIDERING RIGHT NOW.

>> AND WE SHOULD MENTION THAT THE BILLS ARE STALLED RIGHT NOW FOR THE MOST PART, AND FOR MORE INTENTS AND PURPOSES ARE CONSIDERED DEAD.

BUT NOTHING EVER DIES UNTIL THE LEGISLATURE GOES HOME.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT.

THIS IS A REALLY BIG ISSUE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION CAN AND CANNOT DO WITH THE ENERGY STANDARDS.

>> IT IS A VERY SIGNIFICANT DECISION, AND HOUR PERSPECTIVE IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST SCIENTIFIC OR ECONOMIC OR POLITICAL.

IT'S FROM THE FAITH PERSPECTIVE SPIRITUAL AND MORAL.

THAT IS WHY IT'S - WE THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE OF FAITH TO WEIGH IN ON THIS.

>> AND THE REMOVAL STANDARDS ARE - EXPLAIN THOSE.

WE ARE TALKING SERIOUS, ALL ENERGY FROM CARBON STORES, WHAT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION WANTS TO DO.

>> THAT RIGHT.

IT DOESN'T SPECIFY A PARTICULAR TECHNOLOGY, IS SAYS WE HAVE TO BE CARBON FREE BY 2050.

THE ENERGY RULES ARE DEFINITELY AN IMPORTANT MOVE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I COULD SAY THE THING THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T SEEM TO GET IS THAT THESE ENERGY RULES WILL BE GOOD FOR RATE PAYERS, THEY WILL SAVE MONEY, BECAUSE RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY IS CHEAPER THAN BURNING FOSSIL FUELS.

IT'S WHY YOU SEE COAL PLANTS SHUTTING DOWN ALL AROUND THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING HERE.

>> BUT THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT LAWMAKERS ARE SAYING WHO ARE PUSHING THIS BILL AND OPPOSED TO THE CORPORATION COMMISSION IMPOSING THE STANDARDS.

THEY ARE SAYING THE NEW ENERGY REQUIREMENTS WOULD RAISE UTILITY ORDERS.

>> YES, WE HEAR THAT ARGUMENT AND IT'S A FEAR TACTIC THAT WE HEAR FROM THE MONOPOLY UTILITIES, AND THE LEGISLATURE.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE THINK ABOUT IS THE QUESTION OF WHERE THE DECISIONS ARE BEST MADE.

IT'S NOT AT A.B.S.

THAT SHOWED ITSELF TO SAY ONE THING, THEY ARE SAYING POSITIVE THINGS NOW MOVING FORWARD WITH NEW ADMINISTRATION.

BUT VERY HAVE NOT ALWAYS FOLLOWED THROE WITH WHAT THEY SAID.

NOT WITH THE LEGISLATURE, SO MANY GOOD ENVIRONMENTAL BILLS GO THERE TO DEE, BECAUSE MONEY IS AN INFLUENCE, WE THINK THE FORUM TO DECIDE THE ISSUES IS BEST MADE AT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION WHERE THERE'S PUBLIC WORKSHOPS AND HEARINGS.

YET THE LEGISLATURE SAYS IT AS THE AUTHORITY TO SET THE STANDARDS.

THAT'S A REASON THEY ARE PUSHING THE LEGISLATION.

HOW DO YOU RESPOND.

>> THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PRE-EMPT THE CORPORATE COMMISSION FROM REGULATING CARBON EMISSIONS DIRECTLY AND INDIRECTLY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THE CORPORATE COMMISSION CAN DO A RATE CASE WITHOUT REGULATING BARGAINING, CLEAN ENERGY IS CHEAPER, IT IS, OF COURSE, HELPED WITH THE CLIMATE CRISIS, AND HELPS REDUCE WATER USE, WHICH IS ANOTHER THING THAT THE LEGISLATURE SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT BUT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE.

THE LEGISLATURE DOESN'T HAVE THE EXPERTISE, THEY HAVE DEMONSTRATED THEIR UNWILLING TO ADDRESS IT.

AND WE NEED THE CORPORATION COMMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> STICKING WITH YOU, THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT THE CORPORATION COMMISSION, WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS MISSION CREATE IN TERMS OF SETTING THESE RULES THAT DON'T INVOLVE RACE, DOES HE HAS A POINT.

>> HE DOES NOT HAVE A POINT.

THE CORPORATION COMMISSION FOR A LONG TIME HAS ESTABLISHED STANDARDS AND AN ENVIRONMENT PORTFOLIO GOING WAY BACK TO THE LATE 1990s, EARLY 2000S.

THEY HAVE ESTABLISHED THE RENEWABLE ENERGY STANDARD BACK IN 2006/2007.

AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY STANDARD IN 2010.

IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS SOMETHING BRAND NEW THAT THE COMMISSION IS VERY - THE RULES INCLUDE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROVISION, PLANNING PROVISIONS, THAT THE LEGISLATURE - I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF MANY HAD READ THEM.

>> AND LAST QUESTION FOR YOU, DOUG.

WE SEE YOU ARE A MAN OF FAITH HERE, I APPRECIATE THE ST. PATRICK'S DAY THEME FOR TODAY'S INTERVIEW.

WHAT GOT YOU INVOLVED?

IS IT THE IDEA OF MOBILIZING PEOPLE OF FAITH ON ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

>> WE THINK THAT - FROM ONE THING, THE TIME FRAME FOR MAKING THE DECISIONS SHOULDN'T BE THE NEXT QUARTER OR THE NEXT ELECTION CYCLE.

IT SHOULD BE THE SEVENTH GENERATION IS WHAT OUR NATIVE AMERICAN SPIRITUAL LEADERS SAY, AND SHOULD INCLUDE NOT JUST PEOPLE WITH POWER, BUT COMMUNITIES OF COLOUR WHO SUFFER MOST AND CONTRIBUTE LEAST TO CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU BOTH, GOOD CONVERSATION, GOOD TO HAVE YOU BOTH HERE.

THANK YOU.

>> AS WE MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE SHOW, THERE'S INCREASING CONCERN OVER THE GROWING NUMBER OF UNACCOMPANIED MIGRANT CHILDREN AT THE U.S. BORDER.

THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS INSTRUCTED FEMA HELP CARE FOR AND PROCESS THE CHILDREN.

"HORIZONTE"S JOSE CARDENAS SPOKE WITH ASU LAW PROFESSOR ANGELA BANKS ABOUT THE SITUATION AT THE BORDER.

>> PROFESSOR BANKS, GOOD AS ALWAYS TO SEE YOU AND TALK ABOUT THE IMPORTANT TOPIC OF IMMIGRATION, WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE BOARDER RIGHT NOW, SEAMS TOO BE A LARGE INCREASE IN BORDER CROSSING.

>> THERE ARE, THIS MONTH, THERE HAS BEEN WARNINGS THAT THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS APPREHENDED AT THE BORDER, THE MAJORITY ARE BEING QUICKLY EXPELLED.

WE HAVE AN INCREASE HAD THE NUMBER OF SINGLE ADULTS.

THE BIGGER ISSUE IS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN.

THE RESULTS ARE DISPELLED IN A NUMBER OF HOURS, AND ARE PROCESSED IN THE UNITED STATES.

>> THERE'S SOME SUGGESTION THAT THE REASON FOR THE INCREASE IS BECAUSE OF A CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION.

>> I THINK THE DRIVERS TO PUSH INDIVIDUALS HAS NOT CHANGED.

WE HAVE POLITICAL SITUATIONS, ECONOMIC PROBLEMS, HONDURAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL HURRICANES, THERE'S ECONOMIC AND HEALTH CHALLENGES RELATED TO COVID.

ALL THE PUSH FACTORS IN EL SALVADOR AND HONDURAS HAS NOT CHANGED.

WHAT HAS CHANGE IS THE NEW ADMINISTRATION, IT'S A NEW PRESIDENT A NEW DAY.

BULLDOGS HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT THE BORDER IS CLOSED TO NONESSENTIAL TRAVEL.

AND NEW ARRIVALS WILL NOT BE BENEFITED.

IT'S APPARENTLY BEEN CONTRADICTED BY SMUGGLERS IN THE AREA.

>> THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE AND THAT'S THE TREATMENT OF MINORS.

>> YES.

WHAT IS INTERESTING IS WHEN THEN PRESIDENT TRUMP INITIATED UNDER TITLE 42.

THE SOUTHERN BORDER FOR HEALTH REASONS, UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN WERE EXPEND WITHIN HOURS, AS WERE ADULTS AND FAMILY UNITS.

IN NOVEMBER A JUDGE ORDERED AN INJUNCTION SAY HE WAS UNABLE TO EXPEL UNACCOMPANIED MINORS, HE HAD TO ADMIT UNACCOMPANIED MINORS BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND JANUARY.

SO THAT IS NOT A REAL CHANGE FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION OR PRACTICE.

WHEN AN APPEALS COURT OVER TURN THE INJUNCTION AND SAID THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION GO EXPEL.

AT THAT POINT WE HAD A CHANGE IN ADMINISTRATION, SO THEY DID NOT DO THAT.

IN PRACTICE THERE'S NOT MUCH OF A CHANGE, IN TERMS OF POLICY, WE HAVE A DIFFERENT STATEMENT.

>> THERE'S CONCERN ON HOW THE CHILDREN ARE CHANGED.

PEOPLE ARE PORTING OUT THAT THEY ARE IN THE SAME CAGES AS EARLIER IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

TALK TO US ABOUT THAT AND HOW IT'S BEEN DEALT WITH.

>> ABSOLUTELY, SO ONE OF THE MAJOR CHALLENGES IS THAT INDIVIDUALS APPREHENDED AT THE BOARDER, THERE'S BORDER PATROL STATIONING, AND THOSE BORDER PATROL STATIONING ARE NOT MEANT TO HOLD ANYONE FOR A SIGNIFICANT PERIOD OF TIME.

THE GOAL IS TO HOLD PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE PROCESSED AND TRANSFER TO OTHER AGENTS WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.

BUT WITH THE LARGE NUMBER OF UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ASK.

BORDER PATROL STATIONS ARE NOT BIG ENOUGH AND THERE'S SO MANY PEOPLE COMING THEY CAN'T PROCESS EVERYONE QUICKLY ENOUGH.

WE ARE SEEING INCREASED UNLESS OF CHILDREN WHO ARE HELD AT THESE FACILITIES, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS BEEN IN F.E.M.A.

TO DEVELOP NEW FACILITY AND LINKING ABOUT OTHER FACILITIES THAT CAN BE TRANSFORMED AND UTILISED.

>> LET'S TALK ABOUT ASYLUM SEEKER, AT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THAT THEY HAVE NOT CHANGED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION POLICY, BUT INDICATED THAT THEY INTEND TO DO SO.

SO ONE OF THE MAJOR CHANGES HAS BEEN A SUSPENSION ON MIGRANT PROTOCOL.

A PROGRAMME NEEDING ASYLUM SEEKER TO REMAIN IN MEXICO WHILE THEIR CASE WAS PROCESSED.

THAT HAS BEEN SUSPENDED.

THERE'S NO NEW ASYLUM SEEKER PLACED IN THAT PROGRAMME.

HOWEVER, INDIVIDUALS CURRENTLY IN THAT PROGRAMME SEEKING ASYLUM REMAIN THERE FOR NOW.

REALLY, AND THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION IS TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING PROCEDURES AND SYSTEMS IN COUNTRIES WITHIN CENTRAL AMERICA SO INDIVIDUALS MAY APPLY FOR ASYLUM THERE AS OPPOSED TO TAKING THE JOURNEY TO THE UNITED STATES.

>> THE ADMINISTRATION IS TELEGRAPHING THAT THERE'LL BE OTHER CHANGES COMING.

THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS SAYING NO CHANGES YET.

DON'T COME YET.

BUT SIGNALLING THAT THING WILL CHANGE.

>> YES, WE ARE WAITING WITH BATED BREATH TO SEE WHAT THEY'LL BE.

PART OF THAT IS WE THINK THE ADMINISTRATION IS TRYING TO PUT IN A DETAILED REVIEW OF THE POLICIES UNDER THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE ON THE PROCESS FOR ASYLUM SEEKER, AND THE SECRETARY HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT VALUE NEEDS TO DRIVER THE POLICY, AND PEOPLE SEEKING REFUGE NEED A HUGE JOIN PROCESS.

IT'S THE VALUES THAT ARE GOING TO GUIDE THE NEW POLICY FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> LAST QUESTION.

WE HAVE 20 SECONDS LEFT.

CONGRESS MAY VOTE AT THE END OF THIS WEEK ON AN IMMIGRATION REFORM PACKAGE, FOCUSSING ON A LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE FOR CHILDREN BROUGHT HERE AS YOUNGSTERS, HOW IS THIS AFFECTED.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN IS WITH AN INCREASED CONVERSATION ABOUT A CRISIS AT THE BORDER, LINKING IT TO IMMIGRATION POLICIES, IT ALLOWS THEM TO POINT TO THE ACTIVITIES AT THE BOARDER AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR THAT.

>> ON THAT NOTE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR JOINING US.

>> MY PLEASURE, THANK YOU.

>> AND THAT IS IT FOR NOW, I'LL TED SIMONS, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

YOU HAVE A GREAT EVENING.

>> COMING UP IN THE NEXT HALF HOUR OF LOCAL NEWS ON ARIZONA PBS - ON "CRONKITE NEWS", HOW UNINSURED AMERICANS ARE STRUGGLING TO GET HEALTH CARE ACCESS DURING THE PANDEMIC.

AND ON "BREAK IT DOWN", WHY SOME ARE CALLING THE LINGERING ECONOMIC RECESSION A "SHE"-CESSION.