Wasserman Schultz on Arrests of Child Immigrant Sponsors

Washington, September 20, 2018
Washington D.C. - U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23) released the following statement in response to reports that the Trump Administration arrests undocumented immigrants who come forward to take in children held at immigration detention centers:

“The Trump Administration's shameful use of an overwhelmed immigrant child welfare system as a tool for mass deportation is beyond heartless. While visiting a ‘tender age’ immigration facility this summer in South Florida, I specifically asked and was told that potential sponsors were not asked about their immigration status. This is simply unacceptable. Actively arresting potential child sponsors for children held in federal custody does not make our country safer. Instead it ensures that hundreds if not thousands of children who are fleeing dangerous circumstances will languish for longer periods in overly-crowded detention facilities. The penchant for child cruelty of Donald Trump and his Republican enablers is repulsive and antithetical to American moral leadership.”