What You Need to Know About the Family Separation Policy
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As of June of this year, more than 2,000 children have been separated from their parents at the U.S. border, a result of Attorney General Jeff Session’s announcement of the new “zero tolerance” policy, or “family separation policy,” which mandates that all individuals who attempt or who have crossed the border illegally be arrested and criminally prosecuted. While the parents sit in jail, the children are left in cells at the border, alone. At Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, we cannot bear to think of families being separated, much less children from their parents, and we do everything in our power to ensure that families stay together. Sometimes that entails defending clients in a court of law while other times it merely entails educating potential migrants. This post does the latter and provides brief details about the family separation policy.
What is the Family Separation Policy?
The family separation policy is precisely what it sounds like—a policy that supports the splitting up of parents and children should they be found crossing the U.S. border illegally. The concept was introduced in May when Sessions announced that the U.S. would take a stricter stance on illegal immigrants crossing the Mexican border. To emphasize the policy’s purpose, Sessions said, “If you are smuggling a child then we will prosecute you, and that child will be separated from you as required by law.” As if to justify such cruel and inhumane procedures, he further emphasized, “If you don’t like that, then don’t smuggle children over the border.”
From April 19 to May 31, approximately 1,995 children were torn from their parents.
What Has Become of the Children?
Children who are separated from their guardians at the border are not sent to live with family members, as one might expect, and nor are they put in the care of the state. Rather, they are kept in holding facilities run by the Office of Refugee Resettlement within the Department of Health and Human Services. These holding facilities take the form of abandoned warehouses, closed department stores, and converted supermarkets.
What Do the Experts Have to Say of the Policy?
Experts across the board have been citing statistics and findings regarding the harm such a maneuver can pose on a child’s mental well-being. Social workers, psychological experts, pediatricians, mental health groups, and human rights activists alike have been calling the policy “uniformly dangerous, inhumane, and deeply worrisome,” and anticipate that enforcement of the policy will result in long-term deleterious effects and irreversible developmental harm to those affected. Many mental health professionals agree that removing a child from his or her caregiver can create acute distress and hinder a child’s ability to cope and self-soothe in the future, which paves the way for mood conditions, personality disorders, psychiatric disturbances, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
What Can You Do if Your Family Has Become Victim of This Policy?
If you have been separated from your loved ones at the border, you may be feeling hopeless, angry, and alone. These are all completely normal emotions to be feeling. However, know that you are not alone and that you are not hopeless. Our Chicago immigration attorneys at Kriezelman, Burton & Associates, have been fighting for the rights of immigrants and their families for over 40 years, and now we are prepared to fight for you. Contact our office today to discuss your strategy for reunification and possible remedies for your pain and troubles.
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Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Kevin Racia were the attorneys handling a complex immigration case of mine. On the assurance of both attorneys that the case is going to be presented in a systematic way, I went ahead with confidence. I was able to become a legal permanent resident. I highly recommend Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC for all your immigration needs.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to the remarkable team of Khiabett Osuna, Brittani Rivera, and Rafael Rodriguez, who were responsible for the successful release from detention of one of our parishioners, husband and father of four, after over 10 weeks of incarceration. From his detention to the payment of his bail and from Immigration Court to his reunion with his family, there were blessings aplenty made possible through the…
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my attorney, Brittni Rivera, for her professionalism and support during a very difficult time. I was in detention for 6 months, and thanks to her hard work and filing a habeas corpus petition, I was finally released. In addition, when I was released, ICE did not return my documents. Brittni did not ignore this issue — she took action and successfully…
My aunt was recently detained by ICE and sent to El Paso, Texas to the East Montana Detention Facility. This place is essentially a prison in the middle of the desert, and the majority of the detainees here get deported. My family and I interviewed a dozen immigration attorneys around the country to help my aunt, and we decided to hire Kevin Raica, an attorney with Kriezelman Burton and Associates.…
Our case was very difficult, and at times it felt like there was no way out. My wife was detained for a long period of time, and it was an extremely challenging experience for our family. Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC truly changed our situation. I would especially like to thank our attorney, Brittni Rivera, as well as Natalia. They were attentive, honest, and always ready to help. It was…
I cannot recommend Kevin Raica highly enough. He helped me successfully obtain my U.S. green card, and the entire process was smooth and stress-free because of his expertise and dedication. From start to finish, Kevin was professional, organized, and extremely knowledgeable about immigration law. He made sure every document was prepared correctly and took the time to explain each step clearly. Anytime I had questions, he responded promptly and made…
Great experience with this attorney office. They helped me with my I-751 waiver after divorce. Kevin was very professional, and supported me through the interview. Everything went smoothly and my case was approved. Highly recommend!
We contacted Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, based on a recommendation, when my wife was detained by ICE. Attorney Khiabett Osuna handled our case, and it turned out to be the right choice. From the very beginning, she proved herself to be a caring and competent professional, clearly explaining the process. You can tell she's truly invested in each case and achieving results for her clients. We've also heard of…
I would like to express my gratitude to Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and especially to attorney Khiabett Osuna, who handled my case. I contacted them based on a recommendation and have never regretted it. From the very beginning, she demonstrated high professionalism. I could tell she was genuinely committed to the outcome and was doing everything possible to protect her client.
Mr. Kriezelman, Mr. Burton and Ms. Erin Cobb, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for handling my case. Your knowledge and dedication to my case is truly appreciated. Thank you.
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