THREAD: Family separation has to end, but family detention is not the answer. No child should ever be locked up, period. #KeepFamiliesTogether #NoChildDetention
In response to widespread moral outrage against the Trump administration’s policy of separating families, some lawmakers are now pushing legislation that could lead to the detention of children for months or years in unlicensed facilities run by private prison companies.
Detaining children--even if they are with their families--goes against everything the research tells us about how to promote child well being and healthy child development
“Research has consistently shown that even a short amount of time in detention is harmful to children, particularly those who have already experienced trauma in their home countries or during their journey.” via @First_Focus @WendyDC5 firstfocus.org/resources/fact…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 “[Being detained is] acutely stressful for children, and traumatic even when detention is brief.” via @First_Focus @WendyDC5 firstfocus.org/resources/fact…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 “The longer children remain in institutional settings, the greater their risk of depression, post-traumatic stress and other mental health problems.” via @nytimes nytimes.com/2018/06/18/hea…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 @nytimes “The conditions in which children are detained and the support services that are available to them are of great concern to pediatricians and other advocates for children.”via @AmerAcadPeds experts pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 @nytimes @AmerAcadPeds “In accordance with internationally accepted rights of the child, immigrant and refugee children should be treated with dignity and respect and should not be exposed to conditions that may harm or traumatize them.” via @AmerAcadPeds experts pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 @nytimes @AmerAcadPeds “The Department of Homeland Security facilities do not meet the basic standards for the care of children in residential settings.” via @AmerAcadPeds experts pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 @nytimes @AmerAcadPeds A detention center is no place for a child. Our nation should put the well being of children and families above all else. We can meet the challenge of families fleeing violence and persecution without compromising our values.
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 @nytimes @AmerAcadPeds There are viable alternatives to detention like the Family Case Management Program, which connected families to the legal, health, and education services they needed, rather than incarcerating them. theatlantic.com/news/archive/2…
@First_Focus @WendyDC5 @nytimes @AmerAcadPeds This week, both the House and Senate may vote on legislation to condemn thousands of children to immigration detention camps. #FamiliesBelongTogether but children don’t belong in jail. #KeepFamiliesTogether #NoChildDetention
