Clinton blasts Trump immigration policy separating kids from parents: ‘We have to act’

Hillary Clinton blasted President Trump for his administration’s policy of separating immigrant children from their parents, calling on those who feel “helpless” to act.

Like so many others, I am horrified and heartbroken by what is happening to immigrant kids and families because of this administration’s disastrous policies.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2018

Clinton said that more than 700 kids have been separated from their parents between October 2017 and April 2018.

“As a mother and a grandmother, it’s devastating to even imagine,” she wrote.

We now know that more than 700 kids were separated from their parents between October 2017 and April 2018. As a mother and a grandmother, it’s devastating to even imagine.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2018

Not only that – this administration built on their “zero tolerance” policy earlier this month. The result? Nearly 700 more kids were separated from their families in the first two weeks of the new program. Think about that. Hundreds of families torn apart in two weeks.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2018

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced in April that he would implement a zero tolerance policy for immigrants illegally crossing through the Southwest border.{mosads}

Parents are now prosecuted immediately and separated from their children while the charges are being processed through the department of Homeland Security.

Trump officials said would deter migrants from making the trip.

“If you cross the border unlawfully, then we will prosecute you. It’s that simple,” Sessions said last month at a press conference at the U.S.-Mexico border. “If you are smuggling a child, then we will prosecute you. And that child may be separated from you, as required by law.”

Clinton called it an “absolute disgrace.”

It is now the official policy of the US government – a nation of immigrants – to separate children from their families. That is an absolute disgrace. #FamiliesBelongTogether.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2018

Clinton called on people who were also “feeling helpless” to help by supporting groups like the American Civil Liberties Union, Women Belong, United We Dream and more.

If you’re like me, there’s nothing worse than feeling helpless. So on this National Day of Action for Children (supported by groups from @ACLU to @WomenBelong to @UnitedWeDream to @MomsRising, @DomesticWorkers), visit https://t.co/cIzJoSDHvK to see what you can do to help.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2018

There is no more important test of our country than the way we treat the most vulnerable among us, especially children. We cannot turn away from what’s happening on our watch – we have to act.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 1, 2018

Democratic lawmakers have been pressing the administration to end the practice, warning it is “unnecessarily inflicting trauma” on young children.

Trump, however, blamed Democrats for his administration’s policy in a tweet on Saturday.

Put pressure on the Democrats to end the horrible law that separates children from there parents once they cross the Border into the U.S. Catch and Release, Lottery and Chain must also go with it and we MUST continue building the WALL! DEMOCRATS ARE PROTECTING MS-13 THUGS.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 26, 2018