THREAD: using children as bait for immigration enforcement is pure evil. It's also illegal. This plan is a thinly veiled attempt to weaponize the family reunification process.
It is vile. But it is not new.
(1/7)
washingtonpost.com/immigration/un…
It is vile. But it is not new.
(1/7)
washingtonpost.com/immigration/un…
Bipartisan agreement is often elusive, but when I testified in the House, there was universal support to stop this practice -- and the Admin agreed to stop.
Yet once again, the Admin is resuming this inhumane practice, hoping no one will notice. We can't allow that to happen.
Yet once again, the Admin is resuming this inhumane practice, hoping no one will notice. We can't allow that to happen.
Some background:
Most unaccompanied migrant kids have a parent or relative who can come forward as a sponsor. Orgs like @LIRSorg work w/ HHS to vet sponsors to ensure children will be placed in a safe environment (this involves interviews, fingerprinting, background checks).
Most unaccompanied migrant kids have a parent or relative who can come forward as a sponsor. Orgs like @LIRSorg work w/ HHS to vet sponsors to ensure children will be placed in a safe environment (this involves interviews, fingerprinting, background checks).
In April 2018, DHS+HHS entered a Memo of Agreement. Prior, HHS could choose to share personal data collected during the family reunification process *if* requested by another gov't agency. Now it is required to share with DHS all vetting info on sponsor.
texasmonthly.com/news/agency-ov…
texasmonthly.com/news/agency-ov…
This is obviously a concern, as some of the sponsors may be undocumented and fear that the family reunification process could be used as a means of deporting them.
The effect is a chilling one. Fewer sponsors come forward and kids stay in more restrictive shelters for longer.
The effect is a chilling one. Fewer sponsors come forward and kids stay in more restrictive shelters for longer.
I testified as much to Congress this summer. Before the MOA only 6% of sponsors cancelled or failed to show for their fingerprint appointments. After the MOA went into effect the rate of cancelled appointments increased to 33% percent.
The specter of enforcement actions tied to family reunification has real-world implications.
And the threat of deportation is not imaginary. When I gave my testimony, 170 sponsors had been arrested as a result of the MOA.
lirs.org/LIRS-congressi…
And the threat of deportation is not imaginary. When I gave my testimony, 170 sponsors had been arrested as a result of the MOA.
lirs.org/LIRS-congressi…
It is critical to note that the FY2019 Appropriations bill specifically prohibits the use of sponsor data for immigration enforcement. This plan is not only immoral, it displays its disdain for Congressional intent and once again strikes fear into the hearts of migrant families.
