Cape Cod is about as far from the Rio Grande as you can get, but Camp Edwards, the national guard base in Bourne, has become an unlikely flashpoint in the national debate over illegal immigration. That’s due to a proposal that the base host some of the immigrant children now crossing over the U.S.-Mexican border.

It’s an idea that’s forced residents to think carefully about where they stand on a controversial political issue. On Monday, a coalition of civic leaders gathered in Downtown Crossing to show their support for Gov. Deval Patrick’s proposal to house immigrant children in Massachusetts.

GUESTS

Mariama White-Hammond was at that rally. She’s a community organizer and a minister at Bethel AME Church .

Republican State Rep. Keiko Orrall  represents Taunton and Lakeville.