As always, @DLind's analysis is spot-on.
The EO is a vision statement: a view into the mass incarceration world the Trump administration wants to set up for families requesting asylum.
The thing is, it's got big problems. /1 #KeepFamiliesTogether vox.com/2018/6/20/1748…
The EO is a vision statement: a view into the mass incarceration world the Trump administration wants to set up for families requesting asylum.
The thing is, it's got big problems. /1 #KeepFamiliesTogether vox.com/2018/6/20/1748…
First, it's a horrible, cruel vision. Detaining children causes lasting physical, mental and emotional harm. It fundamentally disrupts the parent-child relationship. It's just more state-sanctioned child abuse. /2
Second, the EO caveats the policy of jailing families together for the duration of proceedings (months? years?) in a way that it doesn't caveat the continued "zero tolerance" policy of prosecuting parents. So by its terms it doesn't even claim to end separation. /3 
And last, the EO completely acknowledges that jailing families together for the duration of their proceedings would be illegal. @DLind has another great piece on that here. /4 vox.com/2018/6/20/1748…
So if their vision is to prosecute all parents and indefinitely detain all families--but the law doesn't allow that--what is their plan? What exactly is this EO?
In short, it's a way to shift the blame to someone else (Trump's M.O.) and a set-up for their next move. /5
In short, it's a way to shift the blame to someone else (Trump's M.O.) and a set-up for their next move. /5
Who will they say is to blame? Look at the bizarre name of the EO itself. Basically Trump calls for the admittedly unlawful detention of families for indefinite periods of time and tells Congress: make it possible for me to do what I am saying I will do. Fat chance. /6
Who else? The federal judge overseeing the court-ordered settlement that establishes basic standards for detaining immigrant kids.
Trump's attacked the judiciary for years (Curiel, Hawaii) and you know he's eager to go after the Los Angeles-based judge handling this case. /7
Trump's attacked the judiciary for years (Curiel, Hawaii) and you know he's eager to go after the Los Angeles-based judge handling this case. /7
So that brings us to the set-up for their next move. At the end of her piece, @DLind wonders what the administration will do when children held in these family detention camps reach the temporal limit of their confinement. /8
To me the answer is simple (although of course I could be wrong): DHS will separate children from their parents once again--maybe even invite the media--and they will point their fingers at Congress and the judge and scream: "See what they made us do? It was their fault!" /9
Side point: if you haven't read this @NewYorker piece by @winterjessica about how the language of the Trump administration is the language of domestic violence you need to stop reading my tweets and click through to her piece. /10 newyorker.com/culture/cultur…
Of course family separation and its fallout aren't the fault of Congress. And they certainly aren't the fault of the judge who for years has been working to ensure that children in detention aren't subjected to horrific abuses like those alleged here. huffingtonpost.com/entry/migrant-… /11
Family separation was a conscious policy decision of the Trump administration and it followed from other conscious policy decisions. Trump has not backed away from those things. Not one bit. His administration is just shifting its position in the debate to strike again. /12
So if we see what's ahead what can we do about it?
First, name it. Tell the truth. Trump's EO didn't end family separation. He wasn't chastened. He can't both be the arsonist and the firefighter. h/t @mikehfuchs /13
First, name it. Tell the truth. Trump's EO didn't end family separation. He wasn't chastened. He can't both be the arsonist and the firefighter. h/t @mikehfuchs /13
Second, don't get complacent. Don't get quiet. Tomorrow morning, DHS will still be separating children from their parents. And to the extent they aren't, they will be jailing them instead. /14
Go to familiesbelongtogether.org and find an event near year. Family separation has been and continues to be a stain on who we are as a country.
June 30 is a National Day of Action. I promise there's an action near you and if there isn't, register your own. /15
June 30 is a National Day of Action. I promise there's an action near you and if there isn't, register your own. /15
Third, for God's sake get yourself and five of your friends registered to vote. Volunteer on a campaign. Make calls. /16
Fourth, consider supporting one of the many organizations that work to help families and children seeking protection each and every day. This list by @mjschlanger and @Dahlialithwick is a great collection. /17 slate.com/news-and-polit…
And finally, if you have 5 minutes tomorrow and can call your Member of Congress tell them to vote NO on the two immigration bills that the House will be taking up tomorrow. /18 americanprogress.org/issues/immigra…
Trump today on the EO he signed late yesterday. talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/trump…
