Rep. Payne Issues Statement on DHS Separating Children Away From Parents

NEWARK, New Jersey, May 30 -- Rep. Donald M. Payne Jr., D-New Jersey, ranking member of the House Homeland Security subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications, issued the following statement on reports that the Department of Homeland Security is separating children and their parents at the border:

"I've been reflecting on the Trump administration's policy of separating children from their parents at the border without specific evidence that the parents pose an immediate threat to their children. It's horrendous. That's obvious. But as an African-American, this disgusting policy has even deeper meaning. This is not the first time the United States has used the terror of ripping families apart in order to push a vengeful, racist agenda. As a father, as an African-American, and as a Member of Congress, I am steadfast in my resolve to stop the Trump administration's family-separation program.

"Congressional appropriators should limit the Department of Homeland Security's ability to use appropriated funds to separate children from their parents without evidence that the parents pose an immediate threat, and the Trump administration should do some soul searching to find its humanity."

Among other calls for reform, Rep. Payne, Jr., has joined letters to leadership of the House Committee on Appropriations and the Secretary of Homeland Security calling for an end to this tragic program.

Downloads

* Letter to House Appropriations Leadership (https://payne.house.gov/sites/payne.house.gov/files/180319%20T%20Carter%20and%20Roybal-Allard%20re%20DHS%20FY19%20Approps%20Bill.pdf)

* Letter to former DHS Secretary Kelly (https://payne.house.gov/sites/payne.house.gov/files/170308%20T%20Kelly%20re%20Concerns%20Comments%20on%20Children%20at%20Border.pdf)