In a true do-the-right-thing moment, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has introduced an amendment to the immigration bill that would ensure the protection of children whose parents are picked up in immigration raids. The amendment would require the Department of Homeland Security to inform social services if children are left behind, and to follow through in making sure that they are cared for.
The Women's Commision for Refugee Women and Children is strongly endorsing this amendment, which - let's be frank - is the bare minimum our society owes to these children their most vulnerable moment.
According to the Women's Commission, "Immigrants in more than 39 states have been separated from their families since the Department of Homeland Security stepped up immigration raids on workplaces across the country. Parents swept up in these raids many times leave young children behind, some of whom are U.S. citizens, with no caretakers. The detainees are often transferred far from home and have no access to legal and social services. Senator Kerry’s amendment to the “Secure Borders, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Reform Act of 2007” (S.1348) would protect alien detainees and their families from mistreatment and unnecessary separation from their children, especially U.S. citizen children, while they await adjudication of their cases."
The amendment, S. 1178, would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure that, where possible, caretakers of minors be placed into available alternatives to detention programs, such as the Intensive Supervised Appearance Program, or detained close to home. ICE would also need to have social workers and appropriate translators available when carrying out a raid in which over 50 persons will be detained.
Can you imagine one day being taken away from your workplace by the immigration police, knowing that your child is left behind at home or in daycare, possibly with no loving, responsible caregiver to provide reassurance or even basic care when you disappear? Even worse, can you imagine the terror and trauma of being a young child whose mother is suddenly taken away by immigration police while she's at work?We are a society that passionately claims family values and care for children. Let's walk the walk.
Just click here to contact your Senators and let them know what you expect of them.
