yosemite national park, and that's where this marmot will be returned. nbc "nightly news" is next. see you back at 6:00. this sunday night, the road ahead. we take you to the beginning of a long and dangerous journey many undocumented immigrants are making into the u.s. tapped out. thousands of families are without running water tonight in a major american city. we show you why. under threat. the majestic redwoods of california have thrived for centuries. so why are they in trouble now? and baby boom. we introduce you to some of the newest additions at our nation's zoos. and spoiler alert. they're adorable. >> announcer: from nbc news world headquarters in new york, this is ""nbc nightly news"" with lester holt. >> good evening. as the obama administration

struggles to stem the surge of central american migrants crossing into the united states, it is the children many making the journey without their families who are presenting the biggest practical and political challenge to officials here. the dilemma? grant them refuge or send them back? in a few minutes you'll hear the homeland security secretary's answer to that during an interview today with david gregory. first, we want to take you to where many of those kids begin their dangerous 1,000-mile trek to america. their fates placed in the hands of strangers and ultimately if they make it that far, a country that says it doesn't want them. our stephanie gosk has made her way to near the honduras/guatemala border, which is where we begin tonight. >> reporter: for honduran kids traveling by themselves, the journey really begins here. adults are allowed to cross into guatemala legally, but the children are not. so they come to points that the border patrol call blind spots, literally, that they can't patrol.

on the other side of this river is guatemala. if they make it across, they have a more than 1,000-mile journey to get to the u.s. they will have crossed three borders and faced countless dangers. among them, drug cartels, bandits and those coyotes who say they're going to help them but often just end up taking their money. but almost every young person we speak to says it is worth the risk because they are confident that what they will find where they are going is going to be better than what they are leaving behind. stephanie gosk, nbc news, on the guatemala/honduras border. some ranchers are installing water stations for those undocumented immigrants who are making that trek. there have been widespread reports some have died from thirst. as that crisis intensifies, so, too, does the debate in washington over just how to handle the waves of minors slipping inside the country. nbc's kristen welker is at the white house for us with more. crist cnn.

>> reporter: lethe obama administration is facing questions for the surge of immigrants crossing the border. the administration is working to, quote, stem the tide. under mounting pressure to fix the crisis at the border, jeh johnson was blunt on "meet the press" today. our border is not open to illegal migration. >> but he wise not so certain when questioned specifically about what will happen to children. >> will most of these children stay in america or will they be returned to their homes in central america? >> there's a deportation proceeding that's commenced against illegal migrants, including children. >> i'm trying to get an answer to will most of them end up staying in your judgment? >> i think we need to find more efficient, effective ways to turn this tide around generally and we've already begun to do that. >> sdwhat that mean? are you saying it's impractical to deport all of them who are here now? >> i'm saying we've already

dramatically reduced the turnaround time for the adults and we're in the process of doing that for the adults with the kids. >> cnbc chief washington correspondent john harwood. >> one of the reasons the administration is ducking this question is they flat don't know what to do with some of these children and what situations they'd be returning them to. >> reporter: and the political pressure is intense. >> the thing this administration needs to do is immediately deport these families, these children. i know it sounds harsh. i know it sounds difficult, but they are creating a crisis at this time that is actually going to harm these children. >> with all due respect to the administration, they are one step behind. they should have seen this coming a long time ago. >> reporter: the president is also taking heat from advocates for the migrants who say this is a humanitarian crisis with children fleeing violence and poverty in their homeland. >> we cannot abandon these children while they are on our shores. we have to reach out and treat them like human beings.

>> among the steps the administration is taking? a campaign warning parents in central america not to send their kids across the border. and asking congress for broader authority to fast-track deportation. but political analysts say the president has little time to act. >> president obama can't afford the perception that his policies have encouraged an uncontrolled flow of young people across the border. he's got to do something to stem that tide. >> reporter: this tide of undocumented immigrants goes well beyond the border states. the government is trying to set up detention centers at least as far north as virginia where one community rejected the idea before any of the migrants ever got there. lester? >> any discussions inside the white house about the president perhaps visiting some of those border areas? >> lester, i can tell you there are increasing calls for president obama to visit the border, including from texas governor rick perry. here's what we know. the president is scheduled to go

to texas on wednesday to raise campaign money and also to talk about the economy, but at this point, according to administration officials, he has no plans to visit the border. but there is a lot of speculation that he will have to directly address the crisis in some way while he's down there, especially given all of the political pressure that he's under. >> kristen welker at the white house, thank you. israeli police announced the arrests of several israeli jews in the death of a palestinian teenager who was kidnapped and killed last week. today, his 15-year-old cousin was placed on house arrest after he was apprehended and beaten by israeli police. nbc's ayman mohyeldin spoke to the teen who is an american citizen. ayman? >> reporter: good evening, lester. that palestinian american family from tampa florida says they are outraged by what has happened to their son. tonight they are focusing on making sure he gets proper medical care. this as the israeli government has made substantial progress in the investigation into the

killing of another palestinian teenager whose death has led to a week of clashes. bruised and battered and with his mother holding on, he stepped out of an israeli jail and told the world what happened to him when police detained him during violent clashes. >> i remember standing and watching the group of people and then they came from the side of me. i tried to run away but they attacked me. >> reporter: after four days in israeli custody, the american teenager was released on bail until an investigation is over. his movements restricted, even though he's not charged with any crimes. >> they should have just released him under no conditions. >> reporter: outside the courthouse, bitter divisions were on display. an israeli man yelled at the palestinian american family, you are terrorists and belong in jail. while a palestinian woman walking by shouted a word of support. he was brutally beat on on thursday when police took him during clashes between palestinian protesters and

israeli security forces. back home, he showed me his bruises. >> they started stepping on my back and beating me from behind. and they were punching me and kicking me. >> what happened to your wrist here? >> these are from the handcuffs when they took me to jail. >> reporter: israel has been on the edge since the killing of three teens. some israeli officials and crowds have marched and called for revenge attacks against arabs. his cousin was burned alive in what's been described as a revenge attack for the killing of those three jewish teens. >> i'm blown away because i was just with my cousin. i still remember his voice and i still can't believe he's dead. >> reporter: muhammad's murder triggered week-long clashes that are now spreading to other predominantly arab populated cities inside israel. today the country's prime minister vowed to hunt down those who killed the three jewish teens and muhammad. >> we will not allow extremists from wherever they come to

ignite the region and shed more blood. >> reporter: in the south of the country, israel's military carried out air strikes on gaza overnight. palestinian militants fired rockets into southern israel, heightening tensions. but for the kadir family, tonight some relief. their son is back home, hurt but thankful to be alive. the israeli prime minister benjamin netanyahu says his government is going to act responsibly and calmly with the threats coming. and the palestinian family says they'll also consider any legal actions against the israeli government when they return to the united states later this month. lester? >> ayman mohyeldin for us, thank you. we're used to the tsa taking our drinks and other oversized liquids but what about our cell phones? today the tsa announced tighter security on electronic devices at some overseas airports with direct flights to the u.s. officers may now ask you to turn on your device and if it's not charged up, it won't be allowed

on the airplane. u.s. officials are concerned that a cell phone, tablet or laptop could be used as an explosive device. there's a growing threat of flooding in parts of the midwest. residents are bracing for rivers to crest above flood stage later this week. with heavy rain in the coming days, those fears are far from over. nbc's kristen dahlgren has more for us. >> reporter: along the iowa river, a rush to get ready. the army corps of engineers trying to let water out of a dam while residents pile sandbags to protect what they can. some have already had to leave their homes, part of mandatory evacuations. >> get my clothes. get my belongings the best i could. >> reporter: in davenport, iowa, the astros minor league ballpark is now an island in the mississippi river thanks to flooding. the team is still playing. the water there is receding. but down stream in the small town of clarksville, missouri, the river is expected to crest nine feet above flood stage on wednesday. and the town's coffers are

completely empty. the mayor telling residents the town can't provide sandbags. >> wrenching decision because, you know, you just stand here and you think, okay, i can't watch the town go under and do nothing. >> reporter: residents are taking matters into their own hands, using whatever they can find. >> it was difficult to think of just walking away. >> reporter: a local company came through donating 100 tons of sand. the town now hoping it's enough to hold back a rising river with more rain in the forecast. kristen dahlgren, nbc news, new york. the cash-strapped city of detroit is cracking down on delinquent water bills and shutting off water to thousands of residents. a detroit congressman has already appealed to the president and some officials connected to the u.n. have criticized the shutoffs saying they may amount to a human rights violation. nbc's ron mott has more. >> nothing. >> reporter: it's been about two months since any water has come out of nicole hill's faucets in

detroit. >> were you here the day this happened? >> reporter: a dry spell caused by contested bills totalling $5700. >> barring david copperfield magically giving me $5,000, there's no way i can pay it. >> reporter: hill is among the roughly 12,500 customers whose water was shut off by the city for nonpayment. forcing them to depend on donations or buy expensive packaged twurt keep what an advocasey group says to keep the water running. >> we want to pay for what we can afford. this is a human rights violation. what kind of government would allow its people to live without water. what kind of people are we? >> reporter: an executive with the water department said nearly half its residential accounts were two or more months behoopd on payments and owed more than $150. the average delinquency, $560. >> if they just allowed this to continue.

you never want to exercise shutoffs. that's your last resort. but we were left with no choice. >> reporter: activist monica lewis patrick is spreading word about the controversy. >> i am here to give you some information about the water shutoffs. >> reporter: alleging gentrification is the underlying motive which city officials dispute. >> one of the most egregious issues is to allow people to be denied water because someone else wants to benefit from that. >> reporter: rosemary malone, a retired 31-year detroit police sergeant, her water bills suddenly surged at the beginning of the year for no apparent reason. >> i owe a total amount due, $1300. >> she's received a shutoff notice. >> did something happen in the house over the winter? burst pipes? >> no, sir. >> nothing like that? >> no, sir. >> so this is just inexplicable? you can't -- >> they can't explain it. i can't explain it. >> reporter: a city awash with financial troubles leaving some feeling tapped out.

others literally. ron mott, nbc news, detroit. when "nbc nightly news" continues on this sunday, why poachers are targeting a national treasure in the forests of california. and the incredible call one u.s. farmer received from halfway around the world about his lost cell phone.

a strong supertyphoon is barreling toward the philippines and japan. and it's gaining strength. typhoon neoguri is blowing with sustained winds of about 120 miles per hour. its path is critical. there are fears it could hit hard the island of okinawa where many u.s. military personnel are stationed. the iconic redwood trees in

northern california are under an alarming threat. poachers. they are hacking away at the pressure timber which can be sold and made into expensive furniture. they are threatening a natural wonder that so many are working hard to preserve. miguel almaguer has our report from the redwood national and state parks. >> reporter: the tallest trees on earth, soaring 400 feet hug northern california's coastline. >> people come from around the world to see the amazing forest. >> reporter: to see the mighty majestic redwoods is a once in a lifetime experience. but just off the beaten path -- >> they are doing extreme hiking to get back here. >> yep. >> reporter: these gentle giants are being assaulted. thieves have moved in. >> they came with a chainsaw, made their cuts. >> reporter: massive chunks sliced off by poachers. >> they are carrying them by hand. >> reporter: park ranger marshall meek works the national forest. >> it's the brutal part itself

that they are looking for. it has this pattern. you can see parts of that pattern right here. >> reporter: the nobby protrusions are crucial to the survival of the tree. >> the bud tissue that's in here will sprout a new redwood as soon as that tree is stressed or damaged. >> reporter: chunks of burl nearly 8 feet tall have been hauled away. this redwood chopped to the ground for its precious timber. the wood can be valuable. often crafted into artwork and furniture. a slab like this can bring in $10,000. this dealer who operates a legitimate business says illegal poachers are destroying a national treasure. >> they are taking pickup truck loads and trailer loads and some of these trees they've dated 3500 years old. >> reporter: with more than 20 thefts reported recently, rangers are closing down roads, trying to limit access for the

poachers. protecting the park isn't easy. there's just 12 rangers to cover all of this land. so much ground to cover there's roughly one ranger for every 11,000 acres. the thieves have too much space and too much time to work in. for centuries, the redwoods have survived fire, drought and disease. now it's man who poses the danger. miguel almaguer, nbc news, redwood national park. up next here on "nbc nightly news," the 50th anniversary of a film returning to theaters with a little help from your friends.

the beatles mock documentary film "a hard day's night" premiered 50 years ago today. critics have compared it to the zaniness of a marx brothers movie. to celebrate it's back in more than 100 theaters nationwide. critics say it never looked or sounded better. that's because the film has been digitally restored after what we imagine was a long and winding road. couldn't resist. a massive 26-car pile-up at daytona international speedway forced the second red flag of the day at the 2014 coke zero 400. one car tapped the rear of another in the 99th lap sparking the chain reaction. among the drivers involved, kyle busch, denny ham bin and danica patrick. earlier in the day, a 16-car crash knocked out several other contenders. an oklahoma farmer has his cell phone back and in perfect condition no less after nine months and tens of thousands of miles. when kevin whitney dropped the

iphone into a grain bin last october, he was pretty sure he'd never see it again. the phone buried in tons of grain made its way along the arkansas and mississippi rivers by barge to new orleans. then all the way to a grain mill in japan. just days ago, whitney got a call from a worker there who sent him back his phone complete with its priceless family photos still saved on the device. happy birthday to young si, a giant panda celebrating her not so giant 1st birthday at taiwan's taipei zoo. she celebrate like we all should. cards and a cake surrounded by many friends and well wishers. when we come back, we've got more cute animals. we take you inside our nation's zoos to meet the newest arrivals.

at zoos around the country tonight, there's been a baby boom lately. the newest arrivals are making themselves at home and getting quite a bit of attention in the process. some arrivals into this world were easier than others but each animal has a story of its own. nbc's joe friar introduces us to some of the popular new additions. >> in california, a different kind of animal is getting paparazzi-like attention. >> he has a baby in his hands. >> after a c-section birth, joanne is now a star attraction at the san diego zoo safari park.

>> it's cool, but i just like the babies because they like -- >> so small. >> with summer upon us, the tiniest animals have become some of the biggest draws at zoos across the country. their births often heralded with such fanfare you'd think they were royal babies. from african cervil cats to aria the black rhino who weighed more than 100 pounds when she was born at the miami zoo. >> i think there's something in us that we absolutely love seeing babies. they've got that cuteness factor, of course. >> reporter: in so many ways these furry tots remind us of human kids. mealtime for a clouded leopard cub. naptime for the baby jaguar. some have their version of the nanny cam. live video feeds watched by thousands, giving us a window into the first steps of a baby panda. some new arrivals are born in the wild on the edge of a

massive fire in alaska, firefighters rescued five orphaned wolfpups from their den. they are now being nursed back to health and will soon travel to their new home, the minnesota zoo, where they'll earn their own celebrity status. just like joanne. joe friar, nbc news, los angeles. that's "nbc nightly news" for this sunday. brian williams will be here tomorrow. i'm lester holt reporting from new york. for all of us here at nbc news, good night.

a popular bay area freeway nearly back open. it's been closed all weekend long. we'll show why construction crews will be done early. plus, another mountain lion sighting on the peninsula. what neighbors found that has them keeping a close eye on wildlife. >> it's right here! >> keep swimming! >> and swimming for his life. a swimmer gets bit at a southern california beach. in his own words, hear how he got away. ♪ nbc bay area news starts now. >>