Young Center Demands CBP Immediately End Parent-Child Separations, Release Families Together

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Monday, September 18, 2023 

Media Contact: media@theyoungcenter.org 

Washington D.C.— A report released this weekend from a federal court monitor found that U.S. border agents are, once again, separating migrant children from their parents, allegedly to "avoid overcrowding” in their facilities. The details are deeply disturbing, including separations of children under the age of 8 from their parents, toddlers forced to eat adult food, and a lack of beds for children to sleep in. 

Gladis Molina, Executive Director at the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, said: 

“U.S. Border Patrol’s continued practice of family separation as detailed in this report is deeply troubling. It confirms that CBP continues to violate children’s rights to safety and family unity, despite the traumatic and long-lasting consequences of separating children. The fact that Dr. Wise’s report focuses on just one part of the border gives us reason to be concerned that forced family separation is even more widespread than we know. 

There is simply no justification for routinely separating children from their parents at the border. If “overcrowding” is truly CBP’s concern, the agency should take action to quickly process and release families together. Children seeking safety at our border require the highest standards of care. The Biden Administration must immediately address these concerns, rather than repeating the harm of the past. 

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The Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights is a non-profit organization that protects and advances the rights and best interests of immigrant children and advocates for an immigration system that treats children as children first. For press inquiries, please contact Anabel Mendoza at media@theyoungcenter.org