lives of the williams, the sabino, and the bollens. that is our show for today, i'm ali velshi. thank you for watching. . >> hello everybody, welcome to jam -- al jazeera america. i'm david shuster. john seigenthaler has the night off. ahead. protesters are hoping to block more - there's a protest. and where the stand off is headed. >> brokener borders, broken dreams, we look at the causes of the immigration crisis and what can be done. it's an al jazeera special

report. >> clashes in jerusalem. palestinians filled with ram bury a teenager killed. >> the legendry photographers that namiest 'emman -- that make app american national park an international destination. on a day when the united states celebrates freedom, we begin in murrieta california. at this hour protesters in that sorp californian city are more determined than ever to keep the american dream in the hands of americans. the protesters, some waving u.s. flags are on guard ready to block the arrival of migrants. >> reporter: marking indennedens day with an oath. >> that i will bear arms on

behalf of the united states. >> president obama naturalized a group of citizens. welcoming them as new americans, mindful of the bitter battle. >> i'll do everything i can do to make the immigration system smarter and more efficient, so hardworking men and women have the opportunity to join the american family and serve our great nation, so we can be stronger, more prosperous and whole together. the fact is the country is divided with emotions running high, specially here in murrieta california. protesters blocked bus loads of undocumented immigrants, many children, from entering the town. >> use the word illegal ailians. they came across illegally. >> demonstrators were back again today amid speculation that more buses were arriving.

some were arrested and charged with getting in the way of an officer. it follows the governor's stance that undocumented immigrants should be deported. if we don't send the message you can't come into the united states because somebody is handing out a flyer, this will get worse. >> the president is vowing to press on. xrens ist legs -- comprehensive legislation it yet to come. the idea of welcoming immigrants to our shores is in our da. >> it's an uphill battle the latest from murrieta california, so joining us from the phone is mayor protem, harry, returning from the protest, where they have been blocking the streets, keeping

buses filled with migrants. mayor ramos, what did you see. >> there were a lot of people on both sides. aisle. i just want to say not blocking the streets. they were in an area designated by the police department. they tape the off, i guess, where they can protest freely and be safe. >> in other words the police department in the city made the determination that no one will be allowed to physically block the buses if and when they come over the next two days. >> i think that the police officers all wanted to do what is legal and right. and there hasn't been a specific decision decision. just arresting people. they'll uphold the law to the best of their abilities. >> do you anticipate that people will leave the safety zone and go back to the street? >> i'm not.

i have no idea. everybody has their own opinion on what it is they want to do, what they want to accomplish. i disagree that it's an issue, and the contention was to block bus, to stop illegal immigrants from coming. originally, when i was part of it. the original protest kags ation was -- protestation was not to release them into the community. >> i under that, and you made it a point how you don't have the facilities in murrieta, there was a prison not built to process migrants. when you see the images of people waving flags and shouting at the bus, it seems almost xenophobic or racism coming out of some of the demonstrators, is that giving your town a bad reputation. >> i think there are some people who are racist.

if you look at the signs and all the conversation going around, it seems there's a lot of racial tension on both sides. i heard a lot about the language used is appalling on both sides. when you live in a country with freedom of speech, that's a double-'emmed sword. you can't help some people acting immaturely. >> mayor ramos, thank you for joining us. we'll keep everyone posted on the situation in murrieta, california. at the bottom of the hour we'll take an indepth look at the immigration crisis - the causes and solutions. that's an al jazeera special "broken borders, broken dreams." in jerusalem israeli police clashed with palestinian protesters following the funeral of an arab teen. the confrontations taking place in an area of jerusalem that is usually peaceful. the boy was killed, say palestinians, by israeli

extremists in a revenge attack. nick schifrin has the update. >> reporter: this is never supposed to happen, especially in front of the cameras, a father receiving the body of his teenage son. put this man's grief has been public, and his son mohammed abukhdair's death is a political event, igniting palestinian anger in a jerusalem neighbourhood that is usually calm. through this ancient city they carry the body wrapped in symbols of nationalism. a family member said it was not a funeral, it was a wedding tended by thousands. afterwards the grief and fury erupted. for the third straight day outside the family's home palestinian protesters fought israeli police. police shoot tear gas and rubber bullets. the attempt to pacify the residential area. protesters throw rocks, a symbol

that the claim is unified. >> when you look at the seconds, this is not a refugee camp or a poor neighbourhood, it's a main thorough fair. the neighbourhood is an up are middle class. >> an american educated member of parliament says israelis and palestinians are at a crossroads. >> people now realise that they have been deceived. they didn't get peace or freedom or security. all they got is more oprosecution. >> the fighting injured more than 30 palestinians, and more than a dozen israeli officers. israeli police are trying to find mohammed abukhdair's killers. >> we hope things will calm down, and the main focus having an effect on the ground level is an having into the teenager's death, which is continuing. >> the violence is on two gronth. on the border of gaza, a handle

of rockets hit israeli homes, one ex-bleeding in this woman's bed room. >> over the weekend the message on a political level given, and on diplomatical level to happen as will be understood. there won't be any further major rockets that will land on cities deep into israel. >> in jerusalem, it's the israeli palestinian divide that is deep. increasingly the tension is not just about the abduction and murders of teenagers, it's about two sides whose fundamental divisions seem to be growing. >> germany announced they arrested an american spy. the german foreign ministry says it summoned the u.n. ambassador. a german newspaper reports a man in custody is suspected of passing information about a

german parliamentary committee that has been investigating alleged u.s. eavesdropping. russian president vladimir putin september an indepdens day message, calling for improved relations between washington and moscow and russia should be treated as an equal world power. in recent months ties between the united states and russia have been strained. there has been disagreements offer the war in syria, the ongoing violence in ukraine and human rights. >> in iraq nouri al-maliki vowed to continue his push for a third term in office. a new prime minister leading a unity government may ease the sectarian violence. united states is trying to keep the iraq kurdish region aligned with baghdad. secretary of state john kerry met with the chief of staff to the kurdish president, after he called on a referendum for independence. the move is worrying arabs living in kirkuk.

zeina khodr reports. >> reporter: those travelling from erbil to kirkuk have to cross a check point. it is guarded by the kurdish peshmerga and the iraqi police. there's two authorities, but it's been this way for years. the balance of power seems to be shifting. you needed an iraqi visa to enter kirkuk, outside the autonomous region governed by the kurds. the iraqi police didn't want to let us through. we entered. the kurds have the final say here. >> the oil-rich province has been disputed territory, claimed by baghdad. the kurd no longer feel obliged to april to the central government weakened by a sunni rebellion and plan to hold a referendum for independence. there's opposition, not just from the shia-led government. kirkuk-sunni-arabs say they will

not accept a shia led country. >> we want the government in baghdad to lead pour, but don't want iraq to collapse. the kurds don't have the right to decide our fate. >> kirkuk has new borders. the arab stricts are in the hand of kurdish-armed troops. they have been moved to other areas. political leadership makes it clear they have no intention of leaving. this has ang gered others. they may not support nouri al-maliki, but do not want a divided iraq. >> the peshmerga is deployed to protect the areas from arm groups. we thank them for that. it shouldn't mean anything has changed. >> a lot has. the government has lost influence here, and the arab districts of the province are on the other side of a new dividing

line. the president of the kurdistan government may have been right when he said there is a new reality on the ground. this programming note that the scpurd their future will -- kurds and their future will be a topic form, a deeper look at iraq kurds. >> the first hurricane to hit the united states on the 4th of jowell is losing -- july is losing strength. tens of thousands lost power as hurricane arthur rolled over north carolina. no deaths or injuries were reported. meteorologist rebecca stevenson is here to tell us what to expect as the storm moves north. >> we are watching the storm, a category 1, weakening as it noves north-nor-east. it is expected to continue. we had wind gusts at long island, 20 miles per hour, 30 miles per hour in other areas. towards nantucket,

massachusetts, cape cod, 40 miles per hour, and heavily rain gradually easing over the course of the next two hours over massachusetts. we are seeing the western portion of massachusetts beginning to dry. as the storm system moves up as we get into the weekend, it will impact nova scotia with 2-4 inches of rain fall. the worst is yet to come further north. the records that have been struck friday - we have record rain fall, broke a record in wilmington, back in 1874, and a report of record-high temperature of 93. now we look at totals in boston of 2 inches, other areas had more. this is a localized rain gauge, and that obviously is why we are getting all the flooding and flash flooding watches stretching up the north-east coast. the hurricane warning is in effect off the coast of massachusetts. we'll expect to see the winds gusting for the next few hours as the storm tracks to the

north, north-east. >> thank you. up next - what it means to be a new american. a marine born in guatemala became a u.s. citizen. tonight he tells us his story. and the magnificent photos of you sem itty as the national park celebrates its 150th birthday.

in washington the obama administration marked this independence day by holding a naturalisation ceremony. foreign-born members became full-fledged u.s. citizens. at the event president obama promised to improve ha he called the nation's broken immigration system. one sworn in was oscar, a private, first class in the u.s. marine corp. we spoke to him about his journey to the united states, and what it moons to be an

american citizen. >> my name is oscar. i'm a marine for the united states, a country that just about everybody around the sworld diagrams of being in -- world dreams of being in. i was born in guatemala. when i came i was 16 years old. i didn't quite fit in right away. as time went on, just started to see how american life was like. i always looked up to servicemen and women at a young age. has the marine corp changed me? yes, it has, it brought a lot of discipline, made me a better man after i left the white house from the naturalisation

ceremony, just i'm going to pinch myself to see if it is happening for real. i'm never going to forget who i am or where i came from. it's destiny, it's life. i'm part of this nation. and i'll do the best i can out of it. >> that was marr each private first -- marine private first class we have news about a court challenge to the state judicial systems in louisiana and oregon. in most trials before juries, all the jurors must agree to convict someone. in louisiana and oregon the rules are different. in those states the verdicts do not have to be you nam nous. some believe the laws hurt minorities and ask the supreme court to take a closer look. jonathan martin reports from new orleans. >> i have been home several years. >> reporter: glen davis spent 15

years in prison for second degree murder, a crime he did not commit. >> when a verdict came back and they said guilty, i went numb. >> in 1993 davis was convicted based on the fest mopy -- testimony of a man claiming to be an eyewitness. 10 found him guilty, two not guilty. it was enough to send him away for life. >> reasonable doubt. someone had doubt in there. those who people that said that i was not guiltry, they had doubt about the whole case. >> louisiana, and oregon are the only states where juries don't have to reach unanimous verdict. 10 or 11 guilty votes can lead to a conviction. since the late '70s, louisiana has led the nation. louisiana's law dates back to a state constitutional convention

dated more than 100 years ago. at the time some lawmakers were trying to updo reforms, protecting blacks after the civil war. >> the idea being if there were three minorities or less, if they came to an environment verdict, they could be ignored. >> nonyou nan mouse ert victims have been ignored. the high court has not taken up the issue. in louisiana, they said the jury law is not aimed at suppressing minorities. in response to a challenge a posterior said: . >> no, i wouldn't say i'm better. >> reporter: glen davis is a perfect example while the

conviction is flawed. his conviction was overturned after it was found that the state had hidden evidence, including evidence that discredited the eyewitness. >> i feel like louisiana should get on board with the rest of the country. >> after years of trying, those challenging the law see a change soon unlikely. for more on criminal justice watch "the system" with jeo berlinger. the great plains bison could be the national mammal of the united states. congress is considering a bull recognising the symbol of the american west. it's not about replacing the bald eagle, but maintaining a home where the buffalo can resume. jim huli has the storey. . >> reporter: they are strong and sturdy. >> they are like the symbol of america. they survived a lot.

>> they are a little banked up here. >> so has marte. >> we herded the buffet lo and had a foot on each side. she decided to hit the truck. >> reporter: marty understands bison, known as buffalo. he tended to the herd in the shadow of the rocky mountains for 44 years. >> they are an animal that really has survived mankind. they have always been a symbol of the west since explorers came out here. they intrigued then, and they intrigued people nowadays. >> the move to adopt bice job as a national mammal has its orgeens in south dakota, where 33% of bison roam. tens of millions of the beast populated the great plains in

the the mid west. by 1890 it was decimated by slaughter to 700. today it's estimated some 400 to 500,000 bison live on public and private land across every state in the u.s. >> this looks like a perfect place. >> this is a great past area. they have good grass. we've had a good spring. >> jim is with the bison association, representing ranchers and farmers. >> it's a special animal, it's hardy, resourceful and for all these reasons it would be a good fit for the national mammal. >> there are challenges. something needs to be done for the herd in yellowstone national park. 20 sites in 10 states were named where they could be relocated. for herders like marty, respect for bias job is long -- bison is long overdue. >> they have been on the money,

coins. they are as good a symbol as the eagle. >> similar legislation to name bison as the national mallal stalled. -- mammal stalled. it's ceremonial and would not offer additional perspect tv. >> a national treasure is the yosemite national park, and this year it is celebrating its 150th anniversary. in the friday arts, melissa chan looks at the works of generation of yosemity's photographers. >> they come from across the country and around the world to talk in this view. unmistakably yosemite with a sheer granite rock formation and green valley. >> so many people have taken photos at yosemite. millions over the years. what is it that makes some chip above the rest. we start at the ebe giping and the name is carleton job

watkinsism. >> his first trip is in 1861. he was not the first photographer to enter-yosemite, but his work set a standard to photograph it. >> carleton's images made their way to washington dc. to president abraham lincoln, that turned the not guilties no the first protective land. >> if you think about the moment, 1863 ush, "4 ush. there are two photographs, images of yos 'em yinnie. >> if carton watkins made it popular in america. it took another to elevate its height. han sell adams. >> it's dramatic, but not what you would see if you looked at the imaging. they would say that's important. i'm giving you what i want you to see, not what you will see in

nature. >> reporter: ansel and his intense black and whites. >> he used this instrument and other things to increase light in one area, or decrease in another to make the photograph more dramatic. >> reporter: his son michael adams was born in yosemite. >> we wept into the back country using burrows to carry the food and beds in yosemite. >> no other artist will be ipp extricably tied to yos 'em jipy, as the park celebrates, a photograph shows there may be more variations. it's taken on the same spot where adams stood. >> this provide a yardistic against which you measure yourself and try to do some

things that you haven't done. >> yos 'em jipy's variety moons there'll be something new to discover here. this place will remain for photographers left to come. so long as you are willing to get off the beaten track and explore. >> up next - broken borders, broken dreams. we show you the risks that tens of thousands are taking to come to america, and the new u.s. plan to try to keep them trying. and the rumours, why are so many americans convinced the united states is giving out free passes to undocumented immigrants?

[ ♪ music ] driven by desperation, risking their lives. ripping apart their families. tens of thousands of central americans - many just children - making the dangerous journey to reach the u.s.

>> i'm beginning an effort to fix as much of the immigration situation on my own. >> we look at why many are macking the journey, only to found more heart ache. a special report - broken borders, broken dreams. >> this is al jazeera america. i'm david shuster. the number of migrants crossing the border into the united states in recent months is stunning and historic? in the past year 50 thouds children have lest their -- 50,000 children left their families, 450 bodies were found on the border. it's not known how many were children. texas authorities identified a young victim, the body of an 11-year-old boy from guatemala, lost in the brush. investigators identified him by angry bird jeeps and a phone

number for his brother in chicago scribbled on the inside of his belt buckle. what is behind the rush for the border. migrants are changing to the home that they make it into the united states, that they could stay. they were not always wrong much as heidi zhou-castro reports. >> reporter: after six days of travel and three days of detention. 20-year-old cindy clutches her son in one hand, a plastic bag containing her hope for the future in the other. immigration officers dropped off the mother and child in texas, moments ago. inside the bag is a permit to remain in the country for 30 days. that's when a judge will decide whether to deport them back to honduras. "getting in the country feels good", but she didn't come to feel good, she came for a better future for her sop and herself.

border patrol picked them up after crossing the rio grand on a raft. what was the end of a dream is now a detour. she and her son is free, holding bus tickets to join relatives in florida. with detention centers at triple capacity and more than 16,000 central american immigrants arriving in the rio grand valley u.s. immigration officials drop off 500 women and children at the bus terminal each day. she says that she had heard rumours that single mothers and children were allowed to stay in the u.s. that's why she came now, she said. an ice spokeswoman said these families are screened, finger printed and subject to removal. mothers see it as a free pass. this woman from honduras says

she sought out border patrol officers, knowing they'd helper. everywhere says the united states is helping immigrants enter, she says. >> what is driving the might rights? >> the rumour that the permit allows you to stay in the u.s., and the lack of jobs in central america, the mother's say. the danger of the journey and disdemofrt of de -- descomfort of detention is a small price to pay. she hasn't showered or brushed her teeth in three days. the mothers and children find an owa sis. behind the gaits a volunteer run shelter offering food, rest and compassion. >> if i were in the same situation and my children were starving and in deeper, i would do anything to keep them safe and bring them to the promise land. >> catholic charities runs the shelter and acknowledges that it is controversial. the government has nothing but the word of these mother that

they appear for immigration hearings. at the moment they are set aside. here what matters is a warm shower and the journey still ahead. it's different now, says a refreshed mother. no detention, now we go to our families. >> in 30 days we have to make a decision. appear in court and risk deportation and stay hidden and undocumented. there is no way of knowing how many choose to stay hidden and undocumented. that penalty, along with rumours of special permits for young migrants are enough to convince central american residents to cross the border. paul beban is back with us and joins us. >> it's a gamble to leave, a gamble to make it across mexico and to try to cross the border. if the persist tent rumours of a

permit - it makes people try to take the journey and find a way to stay in the country. >> reporter: on a dusty side street the journey comes full circle. day and night one two sometimes as map as 10 or -- many as 10 or 12 buses pull up, dropping up dirty exhausted hondurans caught in mexico or gave up and turned themselves in. >> there's a bus load of people, families, women and children coming back. they didn't make it. they have been brought back to the government shelters. some have families to meet them and pick them up. others are here to stay. they'll be transported to another shelter. young children are coming off by themselves. it's a chaotic scope. >> why did they go north now. many told us about a rumour

making its way south. >> we were told there were permits. we were told if they arrived with a child they'd have permission. >> we heard if we presented with our daughter to migration, when we made it to the other side of the river, they'd give us a permit. >> there is no permit. the rumour may have begun with a misunderstanding about this document that women with children are being given when they are detained at the border. it's a notice to appear before an imgraghts judge in -- immigration judge in 30 cause. they are freed with a bus ticket to stay with relatives in the u.s. jack, a family welfare worker told me honduras is grappling with hearsay about immigration rules. >> about four months agoing three months ago it started to increase. we don't know about the policy

they are managing or where the rumour game from. it's been part of an increase. >> part of the problem may be the coyotes, smug alreadies charging thousands to take people north. the honduran government is running tv heads, warning parents not to visit the coyotes who are spreading the rumour. >> and the coyotes are taking advantage. the people profiting are the ones making the money out of the situation, the people, the coyotes. >> reporter: jack admitted he was not sure whether the rumours were true or false. >> i thought it might be true. who knows. now i learn it's a lie. >> at the bus station, where migrants begin a journey, the rumours persist. a mother told me why she is leaving. >> where are you going? >> i'm looking for the american

dream. >> maria heard it was easier to get in with children. she was not sure. either way, she was going north. >> why are you going to the united states? >> i'm going to look for work to my boy's life can change. >> the lesson seems to be rumours, true or untrue, will not stop someone determined to chase a dream. now, it's important to point out the unrelying companies in the countries have not changed - the violence, the crime and lack of opportunity. that has been driving people out of the area, and will continue to do so. the short-term spike is fuelled by rumours about of the permit. >> when people are told that these are rumours and explained the confusion, what is the rehabilitation? >> some argue and say "no, i heard when i got there they changed the policy." >> we spoke to the government official, and he was confused whether it was true or false. he said so many are going, i thought there was something to

it, but i think there isn't. >> a great piece. another piece coming in in a couple of minutes. >> the white house is trying to slow down the demrud of immigrants by detaping and deporing migrants. >> president obama said he'll bypass congress and deal with the process. the steps are controversial. mike viqueira has more from the white house. >> as the humanitarian cries suss un fods -- crisis unfolds on the texas boarder, there's more political gridlock in congress. president obama is fed up with house republicans and if they block immigration he'll go around them. >> the argument seems to be because the system is broken we shouldn't make appest to fix it -- make an effort to fix it. it makes no sense, it's politics. >> president barack obama asked for recommendations and will sign executive action with some

reforms by the end of the summer. in the meantime he's moving 150 border ates from around the -- agents from around the government to the rio grand valley, where the tide of immigrants has overwhelmed the immigration system. the president will ask congress for what he calls a surge of resources. more than $2 billion for more immigration judges, asylum seekers processes and lawyers and humanitarian aid to care for the children. after touring a base turned migrant detention center optimism was expressed. >> i believe we'll stem the tide and solve the problem. we'll be fob focussed on doing that. >> reporter: to do that the president wants to speed up the process of sending the children back to their home countries where they face crime.

that anger many many referring to president obama as deporter-in-chief. the white house says the children are driven by a false rumour spread by criminal sipped kates, if they -- syndicates, if they reach the u.s., they won't be deported. those that entered illegally as economic and grew up here t makes it easier for them to remain. that gives falls hope that if they enter illegally they will be able to stay. the president says john boehner said that reform was a no go. that brought president obama to the rods garden for monday's announcement. >> the only thing i can't do is stand by and do nothing. >> vice president vice president joe biden was in central america last week trying to send a message that false rumours started by criminal syndicates is not accurate. if you come here you'll be

september back if you are from central america. this sass john kerry goes to the renalion on tuesday -- region on tuesday with the same message. gepp fer is a -- jennifer is an officer that worked with children and migrants and joins us from washington d c. explain the status the children have, gch what the president is doing and happening along the border. what is the status for children caught there? >> as soon as a child is apprehended or identified by customs and boarder application, they are put into deportation proceedings, immediately the government starts the process trying to deport the child. >> of those numbers going through the proceeding, how many get asylum or a visa? >> that's a great question. it really depend on if the children are ever screened. if they get access to an attorney, if anyone explains to them their rights, and there

have been studies that are showing that if a child has legal representation, particularly this population of children. 40% of them may be eligible for humanitarian relief in the united states. some asylum or protect ty visa -- protective visas. without an attorney, it's impossible for a child to defend nms imgraghts -- themselves in immigration court. given if the odds in germ are slim against -- in general are slim, what do you hear about why they are taking such risks to cross into the united states. >> as i speak to the children, since the influx started, what stands out is the children talk about fleeing from a dangerous situation, being pushed out of their home countries, children doing well, with family, able to go to school, their parents could afford to send them to school. and they say it's not safe or

they can't physically get to university or school because there are gangs or others, criminal organizations that opens the buses or recruit outside of the schools, and they can't get there any more because it's too dangerous. they feel like they have no choice. making the subdivision to try to cross through mexico without permission, to ride on a dangerous train, is not something that anybody is taking lightly. people know the risk. as many rumours as there are about what might happen, there's a lot of good information about how dangerous the journey is. i have spoken to mothers who say they put their mothers on birth control because they expect their daughters to get raped. this is not a journey they are taking lightly. >> what do the daughters say about the risks. >> i spoke to a child who put it so succinctly who said he

thought he would die. if i make the journey, i might die, but i might live. i had to take the chance. >> is what the president outlined today, do you see the situation changing over the next couple of months. . >> i don't think it's a simple answer that the administration can say they are going to stem the flow or stem the tide and try to send a couple of plane loads of people through or stop giving people the due process rights that they have in the united states. it will not deter someone ricking dying. people are willing to do it, because they are so fearful. i don't think a quick fix will be the answer. the administration needs to stay on the path it started, with thinking about different foreign policies, foreign aid to address the root causes of the migration flow and make communities safe so people can stay and they don't have to come here. >> a senior programme officer with the women's refugee

commission. thank you for being on the programme. >> up next - why they risk everything, the fear and desperation that led one teenager to travel thousands of meals to the united states. and the reunion seven years in the making. we need a honduran family separated by violence and immigration policies.

>> al jazeera america presents >> we all live for the moment that's all i'm trying to do

15 stories, 1 incredible journey >> edge of eighteen coming september only on al jazeera america

for many young central americans choosing to try to travel more than 1200 miles to united states border is the lesser of two evils. in many cases they leave violence and poverty behind. paul beban brings us one of their personal stories. >> in the stands of a neighbourhood soccer field in san pedro, alex told me how much he misses his little brother axel. >> translation: we were always together, him and me. it was like a connection between two brothers. i try to take care of him. i didn't think he had it in him to leave. >> reporter: this spring 15-year-old axel maded north of the i -- headed north. i met him in april. after a failed attempt to cross the desert he vepded himself to

the bodder patrol and was which loud to join his father. axel's case is in new york immigration court. axel studies hard. but the bad guys had the eyes on his popular outgoing younger brother. afraid of being forced to join a gang, he decided to leave. >> alex was getting to an age where he'd have problems with delink went and gangs. >> sap pedro is called the murder capital of the world, the deadliest city on earth in a country not formally at war. we were told without a military escorted we'd be killed or kidd inned if we went mere alex and -- near alex or axel's home. this is typical neighbourhood, a

place axel grew up. being here with police application would draw attention to the family, that's what they are concerned about. all the businesses and communities pay extortion and application money. you are either in with the gangs or out. axel decided to get out. >> many who don't get out end nup a place like this. most of the kids are gang members. prison social worker says they face a grim future. >> what options do kids this age have? is it the gangs or head north? >> the sad reality is the day they aim out and step out the door to find the same situation that put them here in the first pleas. they threw a grenade in here. >> five kids were killed here last week in a gang clash. in a town square not far from her home, amex and axel's mother

dora agreed to meet me. she was wary of being overheard talking about the gangs and her sons. >> translation: i have to be very cautious to say what i'm about to say. there are some things you are not supposed to say, you join or are killed. boys as young as 12 or 15 had to leave. that's the only solution. >> reporter: axel is in the u.s. he may have to come home. he may be deported. what will happen to him if he has to come home? >> if he ended up here and didn't go back to the states, they'd kill them. that is what would happen. >> paul beban joins us in studio. are there any parts that feel safer than the oppression we feel in the piece? >> downtown is the commercial district and every established has a private armed security guard. neighbourhoods where families

live, where people are unsafe where the gangs run rough shod over families and the communities and the young teen im boys, the prime victims for recruitment as targets for extortion or new gang members, they don't have a lot of options. >> how much attention were you drawing, doing the stand-up with the armed guards. >> we were the center of attention, particularly when we had the military escort. this is a city where the emergency room had a 24 hour military guard. let's say there was a drug assassination attempt. if that person wasn't killed, the gamings will fol -- gangs will follow that person into the emergency room. terrific reporting, thanks. >> for too many migrants the long attorney to the united states and the lengthy process to get proper documentation left families torn part. morgan radford caught up with one who managed to build a new

hive in new york. she -- life in new york. she met him as her son was detained in texas. manuel got teary-eyed talking about his son travelling through guatemala and mexico, until he reached the border where he was caught. he stopped waiting -- he stands here waiting. when he's not waiting, he's working, preparing a home for a son he has not seen in eight years. he is from honduras, he crossed illegally in 2006. he om had enough -- only had enough money to bring one person, his wife or son. i asked manuel why he left his son behind? >> because i knew he could live with his grandmother. >> after manuel junior was threatened by a gang at home

things changed. >> not even the military or the government can control the gangs in honduras. they recruit the kids by force to do the dirty works. those that don't want to be in a gang - who those what happiness to them. >> manuel and his wife paid a guide to smuggle their 15-year-old into the united states. >> we made a decision that two or three days of suffering is better than suffering every day if something happens to him in honduras. >> after travelling days and nights from honduras to mexico, he was caught at the boarder in texas. there, his father says, children were abused. >> translation: he told me if the immigration officers call them and the kids didn't come quickly enough, the immigration officers would come and kick them. i started crying. >> after nine days wearing the same clothes and sleeping under a sheet, border patrol sent him

to a place for children. he was given new clothes and english class, but he was not free. >> these are lock-down facilityius. >> this attorney helps the children get through the legal system. >> they don't get a free pass. they have to appear in court. if they don't appear in court. they'll be gip an ord of deportation. >> the system is overwhelmed. there's 50,000 cases, 6,000 minors, and 28 judges. for now manuel is happy. just days after we left, this happened. immigration authorities put manuel junior on a plane to be reunited with his parents. manuel hopes his son is home for

good. with a chance it live the american dream leaguely. >> there was not a dry eye in the building. manuel hopes the story shows u.s. lawmakers that every immigrant is not bad and when it comes to kids, they are not usually coming to work, but fleeing unthinkable violence in their home countries. we end the special with an image that caught our oi, this freeze frame from the outskirts of mexican city, a honduras teenager sitting on the track. thousands like him are making the trek to the u.s. border, many forced to their homes by poverty and gang violence.

america mobile app, available for your apple and android mobile device. download it now you might not know it or like it, but you are being watched almost all the time. >> they know more about you than you know about you. >> we feel like we are being monitored. >> don't put personnel information out there. there's people that eat that up. >> this is an american tonight special investigation - your secret's out." >> i'm julie chen, it's no exaggeration