A child of Guatemala seeks a seat in Congress

WASHINGTON (AP) — Norma Torres sees a reflection of herself in some of the Central American children who have flooded into the United States in recent months.

More than four decades ago in Guatemala, Torres’ parents told her she was going to the United States on a vacation. They declined to tell her she would not be coming back.

Now 49, Torres is the favorite in her race to win a seat in Congress from California.

Torres says that turning back the Central American children seeking asylum would amount to a death sentence for some of them.

She says she agrees that the U.S. cannot take in all people suffering from hardships. But she says that children are entitled to certain legal protections as they seek asylum.