Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) : "Congress must step up to end policy of separating immigrant families."

Photo Purple Walrus Press.

Editor & Publisher Jeff Brown.

Today Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) issued the following statement as the Trump Administration continues to stand behind their “zero tolerance” policy causing immigrant children to be separated from their parents:

“This Administration continues to double down on the inhumane, unjust and – as Cardinal Dolan said – unbiblical policy of separating parents from children. Asylum-seekers are fleeing violence, abuse and brutal governments to seek a better life in the US. These children are crying and terrified, not knowing when they will see their parents again. This policy is causing psychological damage that will last their lifetimes.

“The President could stop separating immigrant families if he wanted to. It is my fervent hope my Republicans colleagues, who I know are deeply disturbed as well, will make their voices heard tonight when the President meets with the Republican Caucus. He could stop this hateful, heartless policy immediately, but he doesn’t. So Congress must kick up our moral responsibility and take urgent action to end this policy. We’ve all seen the news reports, but members of Congress from both sides of the aisle must see the conditions firsthand, which I plan on doing. In the meantime, as I have said many times, we need comprehensive immigration reform in this country that keeps our borders safe but addresses a myriad of issues. We have DACA young people terrified. We have crops not being picked, a hospitality industry which is cutting back and closing restaurants, and a construction industry in need of workers. National security must always be a priority but it is time to tackle these problems in a broad manner so that all these issues are addressed.”