Republicans Refuse To Act As Trump’s Family Separation Escalates
June 18, 2018
Republicans control the House and Senate. If they wanted to end Trump’s cruel policy of separating children from their families, they could. Instead of joining Democrats in supporting legislation already introduced to keep families together, congressional Republicans have refused to back the measure or offer a solution.
The Trump administration could be holding 30,000 children at the border by the end of August.
Washington Examiner: “The Trump administration could be holding 30,000 illegal immigrant children by the end of August as a result of its push to enforce federal immigration laws, which has led to the separation of children from their parents and guardians as those adults are prosecuted.”
Republicans control Congress, but refuse to work with Democrats on a bipartisan solution to end Trump’s growing crisis.
ABC’s The Note: “Meanwhile, Democrats, of course, argued it’s hard to come to a table you’re not invited to. Neither of the bills slated for votes in the House this week include, at this point, much in the way of bipartisan compromises. And while Republicans have all the power in the nation’s capital, it seems they have not reached a consensus on immigration reform — hence the need for cross party votes.”
Washington Post: “Democrats, actively denouncing the zero-tolerance policy, have remained united against the GOP measures but are pushing a bill by Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California to immediately block family separations. No Republican has publicly supported that option.”
Meanwhile, Trump falsely blames Democrats even as his administration has repeatedly defended its own policy of separating children from their families.
Stephen Miller: “It was a simple decision by the administration to have a zero tolerance policy for illegal entry, period. The message is that no one is exempt from immigration law.”
John Kelly on Family Separation: “It could be a tough deterrent — would be a tough deterrent. A much faster turnaround on asylum seekers.”
Secretary Nielsen: “Our policy has not changed in that if you break the law, we will refer you for prosecution. What that means, however, is if you are single adult, if you are part of a family, if you are pregnant, if you have any other condition, you're an adult and you break the law, we will refer you. Operationally what that means is we will have to separate your family.”
Attorney General Sessions: “If you are smuggling a child then we will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you as required by law. If you don't like that, then don't smuggle children over our border.”