Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement after President Trump signed an executive order maintaining his ‘zero tolerance’ policy that targets thousands of immigrant children and their parents fleeing violence in their home countries:
“President Trump’s executive order still enforces his cruel immigration policy that prosecutes parents fleeing violence to protect their kids. Millions of Americans have stood up in opposition to the cruel separation of kids from their parents and the detention of innocent immigrant families. The President has not shown heart with this executive order that will still target families and keep children behind bars. This President created crisis after crisis and used human beings to advance his political agenda. I challenge him and Republican leaders in Congress to show compassion, respect human rights, and work in good faith with Democrats to pass bipartisan legislation that addresses the immigration challenges our country faces. We must end the criminal prosecution of asylum seekers, ensure families get a fair chance to make their case before a judge, and explore alternative forms to detention for families.”
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