Northern Indiana’s delegation in Congress are united against the separation of children from their illegal immigrant parents at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Republican Congresswoman Jackie Walorski:
“WE ARE A NATION OF LAWS, BUT WE ARE ALSO A NATION OF COMPASSION. THE POLICY OF SEPARATING CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS WHO CROSS THE BORDER ILLEGALLY FAILS TO LIVE UP TO OUR AMERICAN IDEALS OF RESPECT AND HUMAN DIGNITY. I AM WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES TOWARD COMMONSENSE LEGISLATION TO END THIS POLICY, SECURE OUR BORDERS, AND PROVIDE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION FOR DREAMERS.”
Congressman Jim Banks (courtesy CBS4):
“AS A FATHER, WHAT IS HAPPENING ON THE SOUTHERN BORDER IS VERY CONCERNING TO ME. WE MUST ENSURE THAT FAMILIES ARE REUNITED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WHILE ADHERING TO THE RULE OF LAW. ULTIMATELY, THIS SITUATION SHOWS WHY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE INCREASE BORDER SECURITY TO CURTAIL ILLEGAL BORDER CROSSINGS. I BELIEVE IT’S POSSIBLE FOR CONGRESS TO COME TOGETHER AND PASS A SOLUTION THAT FIXES OUR BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM, SECURES OUR BORDERS, AND INCREASES ENFORCEMENT TO REDUCE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION.”
Republican Senator Todd Young:
“IT IS A MORAL IMPERATIVE TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN, AND THE GOVERNMENT MUST MAKE SURE TO REUNITE FAMILIES EXPEDITIOUSLY. OUR IMMIGRATION SYSTEM HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR FAR TOO LONG. WE MUST SOLVE THIS HUMANITARIAN AND NATIONAL SECURITY PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL – AS I HAVE VOTED TO DO. AS A MARINE WHO USED TO WORK ON BORDER SECURITY ISSUES, HOOSIERS KNOW THAT I WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR A REAL SOLUTION.”
Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly:
WHILE PEOPLE TRYING TO ENTER OUR COUNTRY ILLEGALLY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND OUR IMMIGRATION LAWS SHOULD BE ENFORCED, MY FAITH HAS TAUGHT ME THAT OUR POLICIES SHOULD ALSO REFLECT OUR VALUES, AND I BELIEVE THAT THE ADMINISTRATION’S NEW POLICY THAT SEPARATES FAMILIES – INCLUDING SEPARATING BABIES AND YOUNG CHILDREN FROM THEIR PARENTS – IS WRONG AND NOT CONSISTENT WITH OUR SHARED AMERICAN VALUES. WE NEED TO FIX OUR BROKEN IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND STRENGTHEN OUR BORDERS, AND I CONTINUE TO STAND READY TO WORK IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER TO DO SO. IT WILL TAKE EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER TO REACH A SOLUTION, INCLUDING SENATOR MCCONNELL, SPEAKER RYAN AND PRESIDENT TRUMP AND I’M HOPEFUL THAT SOLUTION WILL BE IN LINE WITH OUR VALUES.
Under the policy, all unlawful crossings are referred for prosecution — a process that moves adults to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and sends many children to facilities run by the Department of Health and Human Services. Under the previous administration, such families were usually referred for civil deportation proceedings, not requiring separation.
