Home California AG Becerra: Forcibly Separating Children from Their Parents Is Inhumane and Unnecessary

AG Becerra: Forcibly Separating Children from Their Parents Is Inhumane and Unnecessary

by ECT

Attorneys general send letter to US Department of Justice strongly opposing its “zero tolerance” policy of forcibly separating families at the border, including those seeking asylum

SACRAMENTO – California Attorney General Xavier Becerra Tuesday joined New Mexico Attorney General Hector H. Balderas and 19 attorneys general in demanding the U.S. Department of Justice immediately end its new “zero tolerance” immigration policy which separates children from their parents. In their letter, the attorneys general explain how these compulsory separations create serious concerns regarding the violation of children’s rights, constitutional principles of due process and equal protection.

“As a father, it is unthinkable that our government would forcibly and unnecessarily pull children away from their parents,” said Attorney General Becerra. “This policy, devised by the Trump Administration, is wrong, inhumane, and traumatic for thousands of children. It is horrifying that an American President would direct this cruel ‘zero tolerance’ policy that contradicts our American values. This is a new low for President Trump. We must do everything in our power to uphold America’s values and the rights of children not to be forcibly separated from their parents.”

On April 6, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the new policy, which called for the criminal prosecution of every individual who enters the United States without inspection or authorization. This has been compounded by subsequent policies making asylum protection unavailable to victims of domestic and gang violence, even to those who properly request asylum at U.S. ports of entry. According to this policy, adults who enter the United States may be taken to federal prisons as opposed to immigrant detention centers while their children become “unaccompanied minors” who are placed into the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement. Adults seeking asylum are sometimes not informed of the whereabouts of their children.

Joining Attorney General Balderas and Attorney General Becerra in sending the letter are the Attorneys General of: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

A copy of the letter is attached to the electronic version of this release at oag.ca.gov/news.

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13 comments

Simonpure Jun 20, 2018 - 10:22 am

Said it once and I’ll say it again…If their parents did things legally they wouldn’t have that problem. Made your bed now lay in it.

Wayne Jun 20, 2018 - 6:20 pm

Maybe we should treat them like Rick white-collar criminals in this country- give them weeks head start to prepare for an arrest, and if they’re convicted, send them to a resort/jail for a minimum sentence. It’s a disgrace how “Americans” like you will vouch for liberty and freedom, yet it’s determined by income.

Simonpure Jun 21, 2018 - 6:10 am

Get back on your meds Wayne…what does income have to do with any of this.

No political grandstanding Jun 20, 2018 - 10:57 am

So leftist it is so stupid. For the gullibles, you’re a sad bunch. This law has been in place from Obama years and before. Same bs from idiot Becerra.
If you or I as American citizens committed a crime while with our children we would be separated period. Fortunately we do have a President that will do something about this issue. If not for the gullible,bleeding hearts, grandstander politicians, and do nothing democrat party this would already be fixed. Becerra is grandstanding just like his do nothing colliegs.

Pathetic Bigot Jun 20, 2018 - 1:07 pm

The President fixed it with executive order. Now what will the delunists and bigots complain about now!

Pathetic

Antioch-Pittsburg Highway Jun 21, 2018 - 3:48 am

So inhumane for the law abiding illegal immigrant but not for the law breaking American Citizen. Got it AG Becerra.

Left or Right... Jun 21, 2018 - 6:36 am

Doesnt matter what side youre on, its still sad to read about these things when it relates to kids. Some of you anti-latinos are funny to read, you worry people wanting to come here and make a better life for themselves. BUT you have no issue with the the lazy Americans who are lazy, have no jobs, on EBT, on Section 8 and contribute NOTHING to society. Thats all perfectly ok tho right??? GFTOH

D Jun 21, 2018 - 9:01 am

It’s not anti-Latino, the unfortunate reality is that about 95% of the people trying to enter the country illegally are coming from south of us and just happen to be Latino. I’m pretty sure if you poled all these people, they would be fine with Latinos coming in Legally which would completely eliminate the anti-Latino argument. I’m also certain that all these people are equally against the lazy US citizens, EBT cards and people taking advantage of section 8. I know I for one would rather see the funds being sent to the Veterans. In my opinion they earned it.

Lola Saavedra Jun 21, 2018 - 11:51 am

We are NOT “Latino” — We are HISPANICS! Get that through your head already! “Latinos” aka, ROMANS died out centures ago! Jeeeeeez!

@LOLA Jun 21, 2018 - 12:13 pm

Stfu, youre embarrassing yourself.

Elizabeth Jun 21, 2018 - 9:01 pm

Yes! If anyone should be called “Latino” it is the ITALIANS!

Tom Jun 21, 2018 - 8:34 am

Congress needs to make the law: Immediately deport anybody coming in illegally, no trial, no questions asked! But congress doesn’t do s**t. Vote out the swamp!

D Jun 21, 2018 - 8:54 am

As CA’s Attorney General Mr. Becerra, it would be expected that you would have knowledge of the 1997 Flores case (Clinton Admin) and the decision in it which started this whole separation issue which has now endured 4 presidents. I find it convenient that your partisan politics tries to pin it on one. Additionally, you disgust with a “zero tolerance” policy against BREAKING THE LAW is another fine example of why you are not fit to hold the position you are.

I certainly hope that you are not reelected come this November, for the greater good of the state.

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