FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Friday, July 20, 2023 

Media Contact: media@theyoungcenter.org 

Washington D.C.— According to a report released this week, Troopers in Texas pushed children, babies, and nursing mothers back into the Rio Grande or the extreme desert heat to prevent them from entering the United States, following orders from Texas Governor Greg Abbot and his administration. In response, Mary Miller Flowers, Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, said: 

“Abbott’s own people are challenging his policies, insisting the border can be managed without resulting to such cruel and inhumane tactics. In coordination with Border Patrol, Operation Lone Star has allowed the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), and the Texas National Guard to arrest, detain and terrorize children, adults, and families seeking safety in the U.S. without any accountability. This has to stop now. Together with local organizations, we demand that the Department of Justice investigate Operation Lone Star, and that the Federal Government stop providing any type of resources to aid Texas in these efforts.  

The United States has a legal and moral obligation to honor people’s right to seek asylum. It is past time for us to undertake a humanitarian approach to border management, not one based on deterrence and detention.” 

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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