It threatens birds, fish, shrimp and other wildlife. Seafood is a big industry along the gulf. Eric Drury is a shrimper but knows that his business is not the only one threatened.
ERIC DRURY: "Everybody's in the same boat. It's going to hurt everything: oyster fisherman, everybody."
Workers have been placing long lengths of containment booms around the oil as winds and waves push it toward shore. Cleanup efforts have included controlled burns. And robotic submarines are being used to try to stop the leak -- a process that could take weeks.
What caused the explosion was not known. Also, the damaged well did not stop the flow of oil as it should have.
At the end of March, President Obama called for the United States to expand its offshore oil and gas exploration. He said his plan would balance the need for energy with the need to protect natural resources. Now the White House says there will be no additional drilling while the spill in the Gulf of Mexico is investigated.
Another issue facing the administration this week was immigration. Federal law makes being in United States illegally a civil offense. But a new state law in Arizona will make it a crime. The law was signed last week and goes into effect in a few months. Police could have to take action if they have a "reasonable suspicion" that someone is in the country illegally.
Supporters say the law will help reduce crime by illegal immigrants who cross the border from Mexico into Arizona. Critics say it will support racial discrimination. Some urge economic boycotts of the state.
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25