July 27, 2018

Castro Statement on Administration's Failure to Meet Second Court-Ordered Family Reunification Deadline

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today made the following statement: 

"The Trump Administration has now missed two deadlines to reunite the migrant children with their loved ones as court-ordered by U.S. District Court Judge Dana Sabraw last month. This is contrary to what the Hispanic Caucus learned this week in our meeting with Department of Homeland (DHS) Secretary Nielsen where she told us the Administration was on track to meet this deadline. 

"Hundreds of migrant children remain separated from their families, some kept in subpar conditions, subject to dirty facilities, bad food and water, and emotional distress. Reports also allege at least two adult suicides in government facilities since the implementation of Trump’s zero tolerance policy in April. Because the Trump Administration has refused to provide us a full list that identifies each parent and child, at this point, I fear that the Administration is declaring certain parents and children 'ineligible' for their reunification because they simply don't know their identities or have lost track of the parent or child. Ordinarily we could assume a certain level of good faith, but not here. 

"This is a continuing human rights abuse.  Indefinite family detention is not the solution, and we must continue to hold the Administration accountable to reunite every last one of these kids with their families."

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