Congressman Dan Kildee Takes Legislative Action to Halt Trump's Policies Separating Children from Their Families

Statement

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) has added his name to legislation in Congress that would stop President Donald Trump's Administration from separating immigrant children from their families at the border.

The legislation, the Keep Families Together Act, H.R. 6135, would prohibit federal agents, officers or contractors from removing a child from their parents or legal guardians at or near ports of entry, or within 100 miles of a border of the United States. The bill would also require that an independent child welfare official review any separation and return the child without harm. It also imposes financial penalties on officials who violate the policy and separate families.

"It is morally wrong to separate children from their families," Congressman Kildee said. "President Trump has the authority to end his administration's cruel zero-tolerance child separation policy on his own, but the President refuses to act. Congress must pass the Keep Families Together Act to end the Trump Administration's inhumane treatment of families. I am proud to stand with Congressman Jerry Nadler and other Democratic colleagues to introduce this important piece of legislation."

Last month, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that the Trump Administration will be separating parents from children who try to enter the United States seeking asylum or refuge. He announced that adults will be sent to federal court and children will be sent to the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement. Over the past six weeks, the U.S. Department of Homeland security confirmed the Trump Administration has separated about 2,000 children from their families.

Despite President Trump's public remarks, there is no U.S. law requiring the separation of children from their families for seeking asylum in the United States.

The Keep Families Together Act allows for exceptions when separation is necessary--such as when the child is in danger of abuse or neglect or the child is believed to be a victim of trafficking or at risk of becoming a trafficking victim. The bill also requires the development of annual evidence-based training for all agents, officers, and contractors on the best interests of the child, childhood trauma, and child attachment and development.

Additionally, Congressman Kildee continues to support bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform to enact commonsense border security measures and protect Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival recipients -- commonly referred to as DREAMers--from deportation.

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