The current headlines involve Immigration policies that inadvertently hurt migrant families. The first implementation was in April when attorney general, Jeff Sessions adopted the Zero-Tolerance policy, superseding any existing policies. The policy separated children as young as infants from their parents.
After the controversy that broke out several states began withdrawing their national guards such as Virginia, Maryland, and North Caroline. Other states like New York flatly denied participating.
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo stated, “Let me be very clear: New York will not be party to this inhumane treatment of immigrant families. We will not deploy National Guard to the border, and we will not be complicit in a political agenda that governs by fear and division.”
President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday that ends the separation of families. The administration instead will maintain families for an indefinite period. Children that were separated due to the Zero-Tolerance policy will be under the Department of Health and Human Services care.
What’s Doing Our Community about this Zero-Tolerance policy?
New York is a state that defends its own. For this reason, Governor Cuomo mentioned that he would not participate in the administration’s Zero-Tolerance policies of “inhumane” treatment to immigrant families.
The facilities for migrant children around the southern border have been overpopulated. NY is one of several states that has contracts with the government to allow migrant children to stay in their facilities.
Such facilities within the Westchester Area are Childrens Village, Abbott House, The Leake and Watts Home for children and Lincoln Hall Boys Heaven.
There’s different ways members of the community can help. One way is to make donations to organizations such as ALCU or local organizations. Participating in protests and calling your states representatives. Alternatively, volunteering as a translators for Spanish speaking children is a great way to help our community.
What do you think about the Zero-Tolerance policy adopted by the current administration? Leave your comment and share this post if you like it!