Arizona Sheriff Defends His Comments on Immigrant Kids

The immigration crisis on the border is spreading to Small Town U.S.A.

In Oracle, Arizona, a town of roughly 3,700, protesters faced off Tuesday at Sycamore Canyon Academy, a nearby boys ranch that is to be used as a temporary housing facility for the immigrant minors, according to CNN affiliate KOLD.

"We already have our hands full fighting the Drug Cartels and Human Smugglers. We don't need unaccompanied juveniles from Central America being flown into Arizona – compliments of President Obama," Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said earlier in a statement on the department's Facebook page.

CNN's Chris Cuomo challenged Babeu about these comments and others on "New Day" Wednesday saying the official is "villainizing these kids."

Babeu responded by saying his statements are based on the fact that last year 300 – 400 violent criminals were released into his county.

"This is my experience," he said.

"My job is to protect the families of my county and not to protect the families of Central Americans."

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