June 25, 2018
The Alliance for Children’s Rights has long fought to ensure that young people have critical supports when they are removed from their parents. We know from our decades of work that there is nothing more traumatic for a child than being removed from their family. Removal of a child should occur only if it is in the child’s interest, to protect that child from abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Immigration to the United States–escaping violence or fleeing danger in one’s home country–is not grounds for separation, and separation must not be used by our government to penalize families who attempt to immigrate.
We condemn and reproach government immigration policies that separate families, persecute them for seeking asylum, and place children in detention facilities.We stand with countless organizations and individuals nationwide in calling for families separated at the border to be reunited, and for prohibiting the detention of children. Nothing can redress the emotional trauma experienced by children who have been forcibly removed from their parents, and we call on the government to immediately reunify these families as an act of decency and as a moral imperative. Moreover, policies must be adopted to ensure that children remain with their families outside of detention facilities.
The Alliance will continue to provide free legal services to children and families in Los Angeles who are in need and in foster care. The Alliance also stands ready to help connect the children who have been separated from their families and arrive in Los Angeles County and their temporary caregivers with resources and supports.
We will continue to update you as new information develops, and we will continue to fight to protect the rights and well-being of children and families. Thank you for standing with us.
