Res. No. 459
Title
Resolution calling on the U.S. Congress to pass, and the President to sign, the Keep Families Together Act (S. 3036), to immediately stop the Department of Homeland Security from taking children from their parents at the U.S. border, except with express directive from a child welfare expert, and for additional legislation that would end family detention as an unsafe and harmful alternative.
Body
By Council Members Rivera, the Speaker (Council Member Johnson), Ayala and Levin
Whereas, On May 7, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced a 'Zero Tolerance' initiative, whereby all adults apprehended for crossing the U.S. border unlawfully would be prosecuted for illegal entry, even if they attempt to seek asylum; and,
Whereas, This policy has resulted in thousands of children being separated from their parents when they arrive in the U.S. and detained while their parents face criminal charges for illegal entry; and,
Whereas, The Keep Families Together Act (Feinstein, CA-D) was developed in consultation with child welfare experts to ensure that the federal government is acting in the best interest of children; and,
Whereas, The bill would immediately stop the Department of Homeland Security from taking children from their parents at the U.S. border, except in the event that they are being trafficked or abused by their parents; and,
Whereas, The bill calls for an immediate review by a superior upon the recommendation to separate, and only after consultation with a child welfare expert; and,
Whereas, At a May 24, 2018 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Customs and Border Protection informed Senator Dianne Feinstein that 658 children were taken from 638 parents during a 14-day period in May, an average of 47 children being taken from their parents each day; and,
Whereas, [0]On June 20, 2018, President Trump signed an Executive Order ('E.O.') that ended family separation at the border, by requiring paren...
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