WASHINGTON—By midnight tonight, the Trump Administration must comply with the court-imposed deadline to reunite all of the nearly 3000 children separated from their parents. The family separation policy was created when the Administration removed children from their parents at the border and has created a humanitarian crisis. Kathy Ko Chin, president and CEO of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) issued the following statement:
“Family separation is morally, ethically and legally wrong. APIAHF condemns in the strongest terms the Trump Administration’s actions. We call on the Administration to immediately reunite all families without exception. Family separation is cruel and violates basic human rights. Separating children from their families is a form of physical and mental trauma. Separation creates toxic stress that can damage children across the lifespan.
Nearly 500 parents have been deported from the country without their children, and the Administration deemed many more parents ineligible for reunification. These children, many of whom are just infants and toddlers, need their parents.
The Administration needs to make family reunification a priority for all families that were separated, not just those deemed “eligible.” APIAHF will continue to speak out and work with organizations to protect the rights, health and general well-being for all immigrants.”