Walz Fights for Human Rights, Condemns Cruel Trump Administration Immigration Policy

Statement

U.S. Representatives Tim Walz (MN-01) cosponsored House Resolution 927 condemning the Trump administration's zero-tolerance immigration policy, which has led to hundreds of immigrant children being separated from their parents at the US border. The resolution was introduced by Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT).

"By separating children from their parents at the border, the Trump administration is violating their human rights. We must call this cruel practice out for what it is: child abuse. I call on the House to condemn this inhumane and immoral policy, and on the administration to put an end to it," Walz said upon cosponsoring the resolution. "Instead of compromising our moral values as a nation by tearing children out of the hands of their parents, let's practice some compassionate commonsense. It's time for Republicans to stand up to President Trump and work with Democrats on real immigration reform."

On April 6, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions notified all United States Attorney's Offices of a new ""zero-tolerance policy" which has led to a significant increase in the number of immigrant children, some as young as 18 months, held in United States Government custody separated from their parents. In the first two weeks of May when enforcement of the zero-tolerance policy began, 658 children were separated from their parents at the border.

Moreover, reports from organizations providing care for these children have reported signs of ""separation trauma'', inability to sleep, nightmares, crying, and begging for their parents, or physical pain. The American Academy of Pediatrics has also emphasized that separating children from their parents can cause irreparable harm to a child's health and well-being.

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