article_snippet: The always intense political debate over immigration policy heated up last spring during a dramatic surge in the number of young children illegally crossing into the United States.
article_snippet: a dramatic surge in the number of young children illegally crossing into the United States undermined what was already a long shot chance of congressional consensus on immigration reform.
article_snippet: NPR's Steve Inskeep reports that both policymakers and political strategists are watching to see if there is a similar seasonal surge this year.
article_snippet: Now we're getting back into the spring season, when it's a little bit easier to travel, and we'll see if the numbers go up again," said NPR's Steve Inskeep.  