San Francisco teen collects clothing for kids detained at the border

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Many teens are thinking of traveling and fun with their friends this summer, but one San Francisco student is heading to the Mexican border on a humanitarian mission.

Julia Tognotti has been using social media to collect clothing and toiletries for children detained trying to illegally cross into the U.S. Tognotti says she learned of the problem during an 11th grade Spanish class at Saint Ignatius High School.

Next week, she will go to the border to help distribute food and clothing to immigrant children.

"In America, immigration has become a very political issue," Tognotti said. "But what it really is is a humanitarian crisis and what we need to do is help the people gain the basic needs and rights that they deserve, such as what they are deprived of, which is food, clothing, water, housing."

Five years ago, the U.S. Border Patrol detained some 3,000 children trying to enter the U.S. illegally. This year, that figure has skyrocketed to 48,000. Most are coming from Central America.