The government must prove that a parent is unfit based on a rigorous judicial inquiry or committed a crime beyond reasonable doubt. Without that level of inquiry, it is illegal under most state laws to separate a child from his/her parent. It also contradicts the policy views of state legislatures and their constituents across the country, according to the state AGs.
Additionally, the state AGs emphasized that the “deliberate separation of families for the purpose of furthering an immigration policy is contrary to our laws.”
“Put simply, the deliberate separation of children and their parents who seek lawful asylum in America is wrong.This practice is contrary to American values and must be stopped,” said the state AGs.
A new low for Pres. Trump
In a separate statement, California AG Xavier Becerra, said the Trump administration’s zero-tolerance policy is “cruel, wrong, inhumane and traumatic for thousands of children.”
Additionally, Becerra said, “This is a new low for President Trump. We must do everything in our power to uphold America’s values and the rights of children…”
