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Finding a Solution to the Border Crisis; Mormons Boot Advocate for Female Priests; Interview with Michelle Wie; Interview with Martin Luther King III

Aired June 24, 2014 - 10:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Streaming across the U.S.' southwest border with Mexico since the start of the year and ended up in detention centers as both the state and federal governments struggle to deal But it's not just the number of children that alarm officials. It's also the brutality these children face at the hands of drug cartels. Some of them are smuggling these children into the United States.

Listen to Senator Ted Cruz.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

SEN. TED CRUZ (R), TEXAS: These are little boys, little girls, that their parents are handing over to coyotes and these coyotes are not well-meaning social workers trying to care for these kids. These are hardened cold criminals. These are transnational global criminal cartels and they are vicious, violent murderers.

These children are being subjected to physical abuse, to sexual abuse. Some of them are losing their lives. We just heard stories of little boys and little girls forced by these drug dealers to cut off the fingers or cut off the ears of other little boys and little girls in order to extort money from their families. And these children are told if you don't cut off the fingers or ears of another child, you'll be shot.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: So what steps can the Obama administration take to solve this huge problem? Let's talk about that. CNN law enforcement analyst and former FBI assistant director, Tom Fuentes, is here and CNN political commentator and Democratic strategist Maria Cardona also joins us.

Tom, I'd like to start with you. If Senator Cruz exaggerating?

TOM FUENTES, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Good morning, Carol. No, I don't think he is. You know, we see extreme cases of organized crime basically in Central American countries and, you know, it is affecting the children, the families, the residents of those countries. The U.S., the FBI and other federal agencies have had huge efforts and joint investigations with the countries in Central America and Mexico to try to reduce that. But that level of gang violence and extreme gang violence in those

countries is what's leading to many of these children to be sent across the border into the U.S.

COSTELLO: Maria, do you think that these parents realize who they are turning their children over to?

MARIA CARDONA, CNN POLITICAL COMMENTATOR: I think in some instances they do, but a lot of times, Carol, they don't and just imagine the kind of desperation you must feel as a parent to hand your kids over, 5, 6 years old, sometimes even younger, to these criminals thinking that that is absolutely the only way that they are going to have a shot at a better life, which is why I think the Obama administration is doing the right thing in working with these countries to get at the root causes of the problem, to give them resources to focus on reducing the gang violence on making sure that criminal enforcement happens in these countries.

But I would also say that Republicans need to be much more responsible in their rhetoric. When President Obama is trying to pass comprehensive immigration reform, who yelled at the top of their lungs that the president is passing amnesty? That kind of language doesn't help when we're trying to figure out what our own immigration policy and frankly send a unified message to these Central American countries.

COSTELLO: Well, some might argue that the word amnesty and granting amnesty to illegal immigrants already in this country are actually prompting more illegal immigrants to come into the United States.

(CROSSTALK)

CARDONA: But that's not --

COSTELLO: That's the argument on the other side.

CARDONA: -- what immigration reform is.

COSTELLO: All right.

CARDONA: They are wrong. They're wrong.

COSTELLO: Well --

CARDONA: No one has ever call for amnesty, Carol.

COSTELLO: Let me talk to Tom. Just about the sheer number of these illegal immigrants that are coming across the border. Everybody says something needs to be done but aren't law enforcement officials and Border Control agents already taking into custody thousands of illegal immigrants? Are they overburdened? What's happening here, Tom?

FUENTES: Carol, it's not just that they are overburdened. It's that there are procedures. When an accompanied child comes across the border, the police or immigration authorities can't just shove them back across the border. There's procedures, they have to detain them. They have to go through immigration hearings and because the word has spread in many South American countries that an unaccompanied child will be able to stay if they come across the border, you know, that has contributed to more than 50,000 coming across recently in this year.

And also, you know, that the administration is trying to send additional law enforcement officers, immigration officials, judicial officials because these cases have to go to court for removal hearings when it involves children. They can't just shove them across the border.

COSTELLO: Maria, some Republicans are suggesting and Governor Rick Perry is one that the president or someone from the Obama administration ought to go to these countries and say, look, you have to take care of this problem, you have to get the message to your citizens somehow that if you send your kid across the border illegally, they cannot stay. We will send them back.

CARDONA: Well, Rick Perry should look at what just happened with Vice President Biden's trip to Central America to talk exactly about all of those issues and he was very clear, President Biden -- Vice President Biden was, and President Obama has been very clear, too, to these countries that they should not be sending their kids over here. That that kind of trip is a death trap and that handing the kids over to these criminals is absolutely the wrong thing to do because, first of all, they will not qualify as blanket.

They will not qualify for anything having to do with any policy in terms of staying here. They will be sent back, and at the end of the day, these parents need to understand that when they hand over their kids to these criminals, to these smugglers, that they are essentially putting their kids' lives in danger. But that's why it's so important for us to really have that kind of dialog and I would invite Republicans to help us be productive here as opposed to trying to use these children as political footballs.

COSTELLO: OK. So trapped in the middle, Tom, are law enforcement officials and Border Patrol agents, right?

FUENTES: Right.

COSTELLO: So there's a hearing going on right on Capitol Hill and there's probably a lot of finger pointing that's going to go on and very few solutions are -- because, you know, there are never solutions that come up in these things, but for law enforcement, what would be the most helpful thing to happen? What is the solution for the law enforcement official who have to deal with this problem every day?

FUENTES: Well, unfortunately, law enforcement in the U.S. has to deal with bad policies in countries around the world. When things are -- where you can't survive or live comfortably in another country, you try to come to the U.S. where you believe you can.

You know, to Maria's point earlier about the families in these countries, you know, the choice they're making is, your kid is in junior high school right now, the gang bangers are trying to initiate them throughout, they might not survive high school. That's a real threat imminently to those kids versus a potential threat of the travel to the U.S., the handling by the coyotes, what happens with authorities when they get into Texas or Arizona.

So you have an imminent threat versus a possible, potential, down-the- road threat, that's why they are turning them over and hoping they get trafficked to the U.S. and are successful in being able to stay here.

COSTELLO: That a sad situation. Maria Cardona, Tom Fuentes, thanks to both of you. I appreciate it.

CARDONA: Thank you, Carol.

FUENTES: Thank you, Carol.

COSTELLO: The polls are now open across the country as Americans wade into a number of primary races. In the Mississippi runoff, Senator Thad Cochran is seeking a sixth term and facing one of the toughest challenges in decades. He faces Tea Party upstart Chris McDaniel. In fact the former radio talk show host actually edged Cochran in the primary. This is a runoff.

In New York Congressman Charlie Rangel says he just wants one more term after 44 years in office. Rangel weakened by ethic violations could be ousted by fellow Democrat Adriano Espaillat. The state senator just missed defeating Rangel two years ago.

Also in Oklahoma a Republican primary could be headed to a runoff. One front runner in the Senate race is TW Shannon who has the backing of such Tea Party stars as Ted Cruz and Sarah Palin. If elected, Shannon will become the second African-American GOP senator. He faces a rising star, though, in the House James Lankford, after just two terms in Congress, Lankford is now the fifth ranking House Republican.

Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Michelle Wie is celebrating her first major win on the LPGA Tour. We'll talk to Wie next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Leaders of the Mormon Church have taken stiff action against a prominent activist. This activist, this woman, publicly and persistently called for the ordination of women as Mormon priests. Well, she's now been excommunicated from the very church she was trying to reform. It's the case that tests the boundaries of tradition, faith and freedom.

More now from Robert Boyd of Salt Lake City affiliate KSTU.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KATE KELLY, EXCOMMUNICATED BY MORMON CHURCH: Open dialog is positive.

ROBERT BOYD, KSTU REPORTER: Kate Kelly was joined by hundreds of supporters at City Creek Park Sunday afternoon.

Whether it was singing, speaking or embracing, they all wanted Kate to know how much they cared.

KELLY: I think it really demonstrates that this isn't just happening to one person, this isn't just happening to me, but it feels like the entire Mormon feminist community is being put on trial.

BOYD: Following the park vigil, the crowd consisting of men, women, and children, followed Kate Kelly across North Temple, in the temple square and assemble outside the LDS offices.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I have in my hand letters from over a thousand people who do not believe that a woman should be disciplined for asking to participate fully in her own church.

BOYD: One by one, supporters.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I will not be silenced because God gave me vocal chords and I will use them to help other women who are too afraid to use theirs. My daughters started asking the same questions that Kate Kelly has and I believe they deserve answers.

BOYD: Following the march, the LDS church gave a prepared statement on camera.

ALLY ISOM, LDS CHURCH SPOKESWOMAN: In the church we want all to feel welcomed, safe and valued. And there is room for questions. But how we ask is as important as what we ask. We should not dictate to God what is right for his church.

BOYD: Kate says she will continue to be a driving force behind women's equality and no matter what the final outcome she knows exactly who she is and what she stands for.

KELLY: I don't feel like Mormonism is something that washes off. I will always be a Mormon and that identity is not something that they can take from me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: In handing down the church ruling, the bishop laid out a series of conditions that Kelly would have to meet to be readmitted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

We'll keep you posted.

When NEWSROOM comes right back, Michelle Wie, she's in the house. We'll talk to her about her big win. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: It seems like we've been talking about Michelle Wie for a decade. We actually have. At 13 years old she became the youngest player ever to make the cut at an LPGA Tour event. Now at the age of 24, she is celebrating her first major championship, winning the U.S. Women's Open on Sunday in exciting fashion.

Michelle Wie joins now from New York. Good morning. MICHELLE WIE, PROFESSIONAL GOLFER: Hi. Thanks so much for having me,

Carol.

COSTELLO: Thanks for being here. Congratulations. How does it feel?

WIE: Oh, my god. I'm pinching myself. I still can't believe it. Still have to settle in. I'm on cloud nine right now.

COSTELLO: I can't even imagine because in watching the tournament, some people thought you might not pull it out, but you did.

WIE: Yes. You know, I just had a little hiccup there coming down the stretch on 16 but, you know, I'm just so proud of myself for, you know, sticking with it and keep believing in myself.

COSTELLO: Can you believe you've been in the sport of golf for almost a decade?

WIE: It's crazy. You know, in the press conference early in the week, they're like this is your 38th major. And I was like excuse you? That can't be true at all. But yes, you know, especially with the younger players coming up, I feel old at 24.

COSTELLO: I know. It's like I don't even know how that would feel because you've accomplished so much already. I mean, tell us your goals in the future.

WIE: Yes, you know, I really think it's kind of like a new phase of my life, a new beginning. I'm just really excited for everything. You know, I'm so grateful for all the opportunities I had in the past and in the future, and you know, I learned a lot from my ups and downs, but I really just want to improve a little bit and each and every day and just to keep having fun.

Golf is a great game. I just feel extremely lucky to be able to, you know, play in my favorite sport as my career, so I just want to keep having fun.

COSTELLO: I like that. That's great. I'd like to ask you about Lucy Lee, you know, the 11-year-old girl. She qualified for the U.S. Open. Of course, as we've said, you played in the Open as a teenager. Stacy Lewis, the world's number one women's golfer, had this to say about Lee last week. Listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

STACY LEWIS, PROFESSOR GOLFER: I'm not a big fan of it, you know. You know, she qualified, so we can't say anything about that. You know, you qualify for an open, it's a great thing. But you qualify for an open at 11, what do you do next? I don't know. If it was my kid, I wouldn't let her play in an open qualifier at 11, but that's just me.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: See, I just asked you that question because you started at 13.

(LAUGHTER)

So how do you react to her comments?

WIE: You know, I think -- I was so excited for her. I mean, what other 11-year-old got to play in the U.S. Open, especially at Pinehurst. That's such a historical, you know, site. You know, I think -- you know, I think I'm just so excited for her. I hope she had fun. I think she did. She looked like she had a blast. And she shot 78-78. You know, two really good scores for 11-year-old.

And it looked like she was out there watching me play the last three or six holes, which is just really cool. And well after I'm done, she kind of tracked down my caddie and started asking all these, like, really rigorous questions that I was really surprised that an 11-year- old, you know, would ask. I could not ask those questions at 11. She was taking notes.

But, you know, she put no pressure on herself. You know, and she looked like she had a blast. So I'm really excited for her.

COSTELLO: Do you ever regret starting so early yourself?

WIE: You know, no, I don't. You know, I think that -- you know, I never really done this before when I was young. I didn't have a previous life that I kind of did this and I knew what to do. My parents had no guidebook. We just kind of took it as it came. You know, I really enjoyed the game, you know, and I just wanted to do it. I wanted to turn pro when I was 16, you know, and kind of did that as a birthday present to myself, but you know, I definitely made mistakes in the past.

I definitely made mistakes but I have no regrets just because I feel like everything that happened, happens for a reason, and, you know, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for all those experiences, good and bad.

COSTELLO: So I'm going to have to ask you now about what your biggest mistake was?

WIE: I don't even know. There are so many. There are so many.

(LAUGHTER)

COSTELLO: Well, you know, some people are criticizing you for these photos that you took, you know, celebrating your big win, and you know, I thought they looked like a lot of fun, but earlier there was something in that cup, and people were kind of complaining about that, although Rory McIlroy did kind of the same thing and nobody criticized him. So why do you think some people are criticizing you for those photos?

WIE: I don't know. I definitely cleaned out the cup, though, because who knows what liquid was in there before from previous champions. But, you know, it was a hard fought win for me. You know, I worked really hard to get there. And you know, my friends -- me and my friends had just fun. And, you know, it was a lot of fun.

COSTELLO: I think some people forget you're 24 and you do those kinds of things when you are 24 and you should, right?

WIE: Yes, exactly.

COSTELLO: Michelle Wie, thanks so much for joining us. We appreciate it.

WIE: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Still to come in the NEWSROOM, Dr. Martin Luther King being honored for his work during the civil rights movement. A look back at King's contributions and what one of his sons thinks about the award next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

COSTELLO: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta Scott King will be posthumously presented with the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor in Washington later today. They're being honored for their service to the country during the civil rights movement and on Thursday CNN will premiere its special, "A Long March to Freedom." The program highlights those who fought and died for civil rights during one of the most tumultuous times in U.S. history.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Do you think that you can keep Birmingham in the present situation of segregation?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I may not be able to do it, but I'll die trying.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bull Connor has a well-known identity as one of the hardest hard liners in defense of segregation. He encouraged the hiring of clansmen on his police force.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He's assuming that Bull Connor is going to provide the pictures and the footage they need to outrage the country.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Bull Connor used mass arrests, fire hoses, police dogs to break up the demonstrations.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Let's bring in Martin Luther King III. Welcome.

MARTIN LUTHER KING III, PRESIDENT AND CEO, REALIZING THE DREAM: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thank you for being here, I appreciate it. I assume you'll be on hand when your parents receive this Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. How will that feel?

KING: You know, any time my parents are honored, it is quite extraordinary, and particularly in this context with being the Congressional Medal of Honor. You know, I'm sure my parents will be looking down from heaven smiling, but what is probably most -- of greatest concern to me is next year is the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act and when we get to that on August 6th, when President Johnson of 1965 signed that Voting Rights Act, we made great strides.

My concern is today many people are not being allowed the total opportunity to vote. Our system is broken, and we must repair it, so democracy continues to work. We go all over the world promoting democracy but in some of our communities around our nation, we seem to be suppressing that right.

COSTELLO: What would your father think about that?

KING: I think he would be disappointed, but he and his team would be challenging our Congress to at least begin dialog. No one is even talking about this issue. Every year, we sing "We Shall Overcome" and that is wonderful, but you know, next year, when we get to this anniversary, instead of just looking at the past, we should be singing "We Have Overcome," and I think my -- I know my mom -- my dad always had voter registration and education on his agenda throughout his life.

My mom, everything that we did, we always had a component of voter registration and voter education, and I think somehow we've lost something to some degree right this moment.

COSTELLO: You know what's interesting to me is how everybody uses Dr. King's name to justify their position, whether or not Dr. King would believe in their position or not. Why do you think they do that?

KING: Well, you know, I think that there are many facets of Dad and what he said in his message obviously resonates with everyone. That's the most important thing because a message resonates then people feel they can apply it to their particular cause. In a real sense, that is probably one of the things that he would appreciate. However, not necessarily using it to justify something evil, but certainly good things, or even justify a position that he may have taken.

Oftentimes people take things out of context, but it's wonderful that people embrace the wholesome values that he talked about. He was certainly a moral leader of our time.

COSTELLO: He certainly was. Thank you so much for being here, Martin Luther King III.

KING: Thank you.

COSTELLO: Thank you so much.

And don't forget you can watch "A Long March to Freedom" this Thursday at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.