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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 19, 2018 02:24 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank and Sen. Anthony H. Williams |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Separations memorialization |
| In the near future, we will introduce a resolution condemning the adoption of a “zero-tolerance policy” requiring the separation of children from parents who cross the border seeking protections from violence. Our resolution will also urge Congress to pass federal legislation to prevent this policy from being implemented in future administrations and prohibit the separation of these children at the border. On April 6, 2018, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions stated that he had notified all U.S. Attorney’s Offices along the Southwest Border of a new "zero-tolerance policy" for offenses under 8 U.S.C. § 1325(a). In a memo on April 11th, he directed each of these Offices “to adopt immediately a zero-tolerance policy (that) shall supersede any existing policies.” In remarks on the policy on May 7, 2018, Attorney General Sessions further defined its purpose, stating that “If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you and that child will be separated from you as required by law.” Although separation is not in fact required by federal law, and previous Administrations of both political parties have not interpreted the law to require such cruel and unnecessary separations of children and parents, numerous media sources have reported, based on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security statistics, that well over 2,000 children – more than 100 under four years old– have been separated from their parents over a six-week period since the policy was implemented. We must not stand by idly while these children are being housed in fenced-in shelters and makeshift facilities. Numerous faith-based, advocacy and humans rights organizations have spoken out clearly against the brutality of this policy. Our resolution would encourage our Pennsylvania congressional delegation to urge President Trump to reverse this policy of ripping children from their parents, and to work to enact pending legislation in Congress which would prohibit the practice for all future Administrations. We hope you will join with us. |
Introduced as SR405