We must always arrest people coming into our Country illegally. Of the 12,000 children, 10,000 are being sent by their parents on a very dangerous trip, and only 2000 are with their parents, many of whom have tried to enter our Country illegally on numerous occasions.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 19, 2018
Separation of families at U.S. border will have lasting effects on children, experts warn
Since April 19, two thousand children have been forcibly removed from their parents by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents. The agents are acting on a new policy directive by the Trump administration, which has ordered “zero tolerance,” prosecuting all people who cross the border into the U.S. illegally.
On Tuesday, a bipartisan group of former U.S. Attorneys wrote to the Justice Department, urging cessation of the policy, arguing that in the past, exceptions were granted when necessary to prevent the routine separation of children from their parents.
Demonstrations protesting the practice have popped up across the country, from the U.S.-Mexico border itself to ICE offices in Portland, Oregon. The administration itself has repeatedly changed its narrative surrounding its involvement and control over the policy, but is ultimately doubling down.
In a recent interview, former CBP Commissioner and Global Resilience Institute Distinguished Senior Fellow Gil Kerlikowske weighed in on the policy. “It’s heartbreaking not only to tear these children away from their mothers and fathers but I am very concerned about the effect that it would have on these border patrol agents,” he told PBS NewsHour’s John Yang. For the full interview, click here.
Sources:
Facing outcry over family separations, DHS chief says ‘We will not apologize’ – The Washington Post
What separation from parents does to children: ‘The effect is catastrophic’ – The Washington Post
Former top federal prosecutors call on Sessions to end ‘zero tolerance’ at border – CNN
‘Free our children now’ – On the U.S.-Mexico border, activists protest separation of immigrant families – PBS News Hour
#OccupyICEpdx Vigil to End ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’ dividing families – KBOO