Feinstein, more than 30 senators introduce bill blocking DHS from separating families at the border

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/6/11/1771061/-Feinstein-more-than-30-senators-introduce-bill-blocking-DHS-from-separating-families-at-the-border

Feinstein, more than 30 senators introduce bill blocking DHS from separating families at the border
Gabe Ortiz
Daily Kos Staff
Monday June 11, 2018 · 2:56 PM EDT


Sign the petition to DHS Secretary Nielsen: Stop separating migrant families at the border
https://www.dailykos.com/campaigns/petitions/add-your-name-to-dhs-secretary-nielsen-stop-separating-migrant-families-at-the-border


Thirty-two U.S. senators—all Democrats or independents—have cosponsored legislation from U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California that would block the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from brutally tearing kids from the arms of migrant parents at the U.S./Mexico border. According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), more than 650 kids were kidnapped from their parents, many of whom are asylum-seekers, during a two-week period alone last month.

“Congress has a moral obligation to take a stand and say that families should not be forcibly separated,” Sen. Feinstein said in a press release. “Many of these families are fleeing terrible violence, traveling thousands of miles on foot for the chance to file an asylum claim and save their lives.” Seeking asylum at a U.S. port of entry is a legal act under U.S. law. Instead, the Trump administration is punishing already vulnerable families by ripping their kids away.

In one of the most horrendous examples of family separation under the Trump administration, a Congolese asylum-seeker and her seven-year-old were torn apart for months, despite the mom passing her initial interview. “When the officers separated them, Ms. L. could hear her daughter in the next room screaming that she did not want to be taken away from her mother,” the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) wrote, ultimately helping them reunite through a lawsuit. But, 47 kids continue to get torn apart from their families at the border every day.

“To traumatize them further is unconscionable,” Sen. Feinstein said, “and I hope that our Republican colleagues will work with us to put an end to this immoral policy.” To date, no single member from the so-called party of family values has cosponsored this legislation.

Under the legislation, immigration officials would be permitted to separate families “only in the event they are being trafficked or abused by their parents.” Currently, the administration is doing this barbarity solely to punish families and deter others seeking asylum, in violation of U.S. and international law—and with devastating effect.

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“Let me be clear: there is no law requiring this Administration to separate children from their parents—Attorney General Sessions and Secretary Nielsen are choosing to tear families apart to intimidate those who are lawfully seeking asylum in our country,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. “It’s extreme, heartbreaking, un-American, and has to stop.” Call your U.S. senators at (202) 224-3121 and demand they support this legislation.