DeLauro Statement on Trump Administration’s Proposal to Indefinitely Detain Children Separated from their Families

WASHINGTON, DC(September 6, 2018) - Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration's proposed rule to hold children who have been separated from their families in facilities that have been deemed unsuitable by federal courts. This rule change would undermine the Flores Settlement Agreement, rolling back more than 20 years of judicial precedent.

"Today's proposal from the Trump administration extends the family separation crisis long past the court-ordered deadline of July 26 to reunite all children with their families. Though Trump officials are characterizing their actions as necessary to keep families together, in reality, this new rule would put families in cages and hold immigrant children in jail-like conditions for an indefinite period of time. That is not a solution to the manufactured crisis at the border—it simply trades one abhorrent policy of government sanctioned child abuse for another."

"There is no humane way to detain families. More than that, the detention traumatizes families and has long-term psychological effects on children. Legislation containing this exact proposal was overwhelming rejected by the Congress earlier this year by a vote of 121-301. Instead of doubling down on this failed policy, President Trump and his administration should focus on reuniting children with their families humanely, permanently, and quickly."