Murkowski calls immigration separations 'cruel, tragic'
By Erin Granger
Jun 18, 2018
FAIRBANKS — Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski today spoke out against the separation of families in immigration detention centers, terming the practice “cruel” and calling on the Trump administration to immediately halt the practice.
“The time is now for the White House to end the cruel, tragic separations of families,” Murkowski said. “The thousands of children taken from their parents and families must be reunited as quickly as possible and be treated humanely while immigration proceedings are pending.”
Murkowski said she was troubled that those seeking entry to the country are being turned away before they even have the opportunity to file paperwork.
“While I have said that this is a policy discussion that needs to be had, in my view, we should not have a policy designed to separate families, particularly mothers with young children, without a clear process and focus on the needs of the children,” Murkowski said.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly placed blame on Democratic members of Congress, saying it was a Democratic led policy that is allowing this separation of families, a move Murkowski condemned in her statement.
“To blame previous administrations for a wrong committed today is not acceptable,” Murkowski said. “The Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security should make the call today. If the administration does not fix this and fast, we in Congress must.”
http://www.newsminer.com/news/alaska_news/murkowski-calls-immigration-separations-cruel-tragic/article_60f3594c-7349-11e8-8bce-0f6ec5fb40af.html