Following the introduction of the Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act to strengthen protections for juvenile asylum seekers on the southern U.S. border, Senator Murray introduced new legislation to block family separations at sensitive locations, called on the Trump administration to commit not to deport servicemembers’ families
Senator Murray joined Senate Democrats in a letter to President Trump opposing his efforts to overturn rule protecting children and families of active duty servicemembers and veterans from deportation
Senator Murray introduced legislation to prevent the separation of families at sensitive locations such as schools, religious institutions, and hospitals
ICYMI: Outraged by Worsening Crisis at Southern U.S. Border, Senator Murray Outlines New Legislation to End Cruel Treatment of Migrant Children in Government Custody – MORE HERE
(Washington, D.C.) – Following the introduction of new legislation to end to the cruel treatment of migrant children in U.S. custody, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) continued to lead the charge against President Trump’s harmful immigration agenda, championing additional efforts to protect migrant children and the families of servicemembers in Washington State and across the country.
In response to reports that the Trump administration is ending protections against the deportation of military families whose loved ones are deployed, Senator Murray demanded the President maintain the “Parole in Place” (PIP) program, which prevents immigrants who are spouses, parents and children of active-duty servicemembers and veterans from being deported. In a new letter, Senator Murray emphasized how deporting military spouses and family members is a significant threat to military readiness and our national security, especially at a time when servicemembers are being asked to sacrifice for our country.
“Through this program, servicemembers are able to fight for the United States overseas and not worry that their spouse, children, or parents will be deported while they are away,” Senator Murray wrote in a letter to Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan and Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper. “Terminating PIP would not only cause personal hardship to our servicemen and women, but negatively impact them in combat. Withdrawing protections from military families is a direct threat to our military readiness and our national security.”
Senator Murray also introduced legislation to prevent immigration enforcement agents from engaging in enforcement actions at sensitive locations such as schools, religious institutions, and hospitals, without prior approval from a supervisor and a pertinent and pressing reason to conduct enforcement actions. The Protecting Sensitive Locations Act makes permanent the Department of Homeland Security’s existing policies and expands on those policies to ensure that immigrants are able to access education, criminal justice, and social services without fear of deportation. This legislation comes weeks after increased reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence outside of courthouses, and an ICE arrest outside of the Thurston County Superior Courthouse.
These actions are a continuation of Senator Murray’s ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable migrant children and families and oppose the appalling treatment of migrant children and families under President Trump. In addition to her recent Stop Cruelty to Migrant Children Act, Senator Murray has lead multiple oversight efforts—including a June 28 letter to President Trump about the treatment of children at border facilities—to get more information regarding the status of children’s medical care, sanitary conditions, staffing levels, and more for migrant children in detention.
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