WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced her co-sponsorship of the Keep Families Together Act. This legislation, introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein and 45 other Senate colleagues, would ensure that the federal government carries out immigration procedures in the best interest of detained children. Recently, NBC News reported that the Administration admitted that reuniting thousands of migrant children separated from their parents or guardians at the U.S.-Mexico border may not be “within the realm of the possible,” according to a court filing.
“For months, the Trump Administration ignored public outcry and moved forward with its cruel policy of separating parents from their children as a form of deterrence. There is no mandate in the law requiring border patrol agents to separate children from their parents, yet this didn’t stop the Administration from exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis, of its own making, at our southern border. This policy goes against our core American values,” said Senator Rosen. “It’s Congress’ job to conduct oversight and to hold agencies accountable when they implement harmful policies, and there are many questions about this policy that this Administration needs to answer. I hope that the President can put an end to his political games and come to the table to negotiate and finally pass comprehensive immigration reform that both secures our borders and moves our country forward.”
BACKGROUND: Rosen was an original co-sponsor of the Keep Families Together Act in the House of Representatives last Congress. The bill would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Health and Human Services from separating children under the age of 18 with no permanent immigration status from his or her parent or legal guardian at or near the port of entry or within 100 miles of the U.S. border except in the case of extraordinary circumstances.
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