Issued June 27, 2018
WASHINGTON—In response to the California U.S. District Court’s decision that bars the Trump Administration from separating children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border and requires families who were forcibly divided to be reunited, SEIU International Executive Vice President and iAmerica Action President Rocio Sáenz issued the following statement:
“Today justice was served for over 2,300 innocent children who were forcibly separated from their parents as a result of President Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy. We applaud the U.S. District Court for drawing a line in the sand to this administration's immoral and inhumane treatment of innocent families. Now it's up to us to ensure that this administration follows through and that all 2,300 children are reunited with their families.
"Unfortunately, it’s a bittersweet victory for families seeking safety in our country. Parents and children remain in detention and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has admitted it has only reunified 6 children with their parents. This inhumane treatment has caused children irreparable psychological harm. Children and their families belong together in safe communities not in what can only be described as cages and unsuited for families and that make legal representation for families applying for asylum more difficult. "