Up to 1,200 unaccompanied minor children fleeing across the border to be housed at Fort Sill

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to use Fort Sill to house up to 1,200 unaccompanied minors who illegally crossed the southern border of the United States, the Oklahoma governor's office said Friday.

A flood of young people, often fleeing violence in Central America, have been coming across the border.

Usually between 13 and 17 years old, the number of these young people fleeing into this country has grown from 6,000 in 2011 to 66,000 last year, said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore. They typically go into the custody of U.S. Border Patrol agents. While adults who come across the border illegally can be returned to their home country quickly, these children typically are transferred into a shelter program until family members can be found.

Gov. Mary Fallin said her office was informed Friday of the plans to use Fort Sill, and Sen. Jim Inhofe said officials at the military installation have been told to prepare to receive children as early as Tuesday.