The Keep Families Together Act/Family Separation/the Zero tolerance policy (Updated 07/05)
Background:
A LOT has happened, but I think these points need to be the overarching message:
a. We still don't have proof that the 522 kids have been reunited with their parents,
b. There is still no concrete plan to reunite the approximate 2,035 kids who have already been separated. (Which now sounds like it might be 3K or more)
c. The administration is still continuing with their decision to build tent cities/house migrants on army bases, because of the zero tolerance policy. The Pentagon is expecting to house 20,000 migrant children.
d. Our electeds are focused on issuing legislation to end family separation, but are not focusing on the administration's refusal to accept individuals who are seeking under asylum under domestic/gang violence OR the plight of unaccompanied minor children who are also in the system.
e. There are now reports out of Texas, parents are being told they can reunited with their kids, IF they choose to voluntarily self-deport.
How do we respond?
There's two components to this: the legislative and the non-legislative. The legislative:
For all of us:
1. Calling your federal electeds, and ask them to support the Keep Families Together Act in both chambers.
But you're going to add on a new line: you want them to support Chuck Schumer's call for a Family Reunification Czar.
The media has consistently reported on how spread out these kids are, and how they seem to be sent to different states with inaccurate records. (There's no concrete specific proof on this; it's based on a lot of op-eds/observational pieces, explaining it's hard to reach these kids. )
A family reunification czar's entire purpose would be to organize the operation to reunite them.
Senate:
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling to ask Senators to continue to do everything in their legislative power to address the DHS/DOJ's zero tolerance policy.
You: Last week's executive order does not adequately solve the problem of family separation; it just creates family detention centers, and doesn't address the overarching problem.
You: We also need clarity on how this executive order helps the children who have already been separated - so far, there seems to be no concrete plan to reunite them. For that reason, I am calling on [SENATOR] to support minority leader Schumer's call to establish a family reunification czar, who will specifically focus on reunifications.
Dem Senators: Finally, I'd like to call on [Senator] to continue to express support for Feinstein's Keep Families Together Act.
GOP Senators: I am calling on [Senator] to support Feinstein's Keep Families Together.
You: <Additional comments>
House:
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling to express to [HOUSE MEMBER] I believe last week's executive order does not adequately address the situations created by the zero tolerance policy.
You: The executive order only further creates family detention centers, and also does not provide adequate resources for reuniting the families already separated. The DHS keeps claiming they have a plan; when will we see actual details and progress?
You: For all of those reasons, I am calling on [HOUSE member] to support Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer's call for the administration to establish a family reunification czar. We need someone dedicated to overseeing the efforts toward reuniting these families.
You: I am also calling on [HOUSE MEMBER] to support Rep Nadler's Keep Families Together Act (H.R. 6135). We need to move forward on this critical legislation.
You: <insert optional comment>
a. We still don't have proof that the 522 kids have been reunited with their parents,
b. There is still no concrete plan to reunite the approximate 2,035 kids who have already been separated. (Which now sounds like it might be 3K or more)
c. The administration is still continuing with their decision to build tent cities/house migrants on army bases, because of the zero tolerance policy. The Pentagon is expecting to house 20,000 migrant children.
d. Our electeds are focused on issuing legislation to end family separation, but are not focusing on the administration's refusal to accept individuals who are seeking under asylum under domestic/gang violence OR the plight of unaccompanied minor children who are also in the system.
e. There are now reports out of Texas, parents are being told they can reunited with their kids, IF they choose to voluntarily self-deport.
How do we respond?
There's two components to this: the legislative and the non-legislative. The legislative:
For all of us:
1. Calling your federal electeds, and ask them to support the Keep Families Together Act in both chambers.
But you're going to add on a new line: you want them to support Chuck Schumer's call for a Family Reunification Czar.
The media has consistently reported on how spread out these kids are, and how they seem to be sent to different states with inaccurate records. (There's no concrete specific proof on this; it's based on a lot of op-eds/observational pieces, explaining it's hard to reach these kids. )
A family reunification czar's entire purpose would be to organize the operation to reunite them.
Senate:
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling to ask Senators to continue to do everything in their legislative power to address the DHS/DOJ's zero tolerance policy.
You: Last week's executive order does not adequately solve the problem of family separation; it just creates family detention centers, and doesn't address the overarching problem.
You: We also need clarity on how this executive order helps the children who have already been separated - so far, there seems to be no concrete plan to reunite them. For that reason, I am calling on [SENATOR] to support minority leader Schumer's call to establish a family reunification czar, who will specifically focus on reunifications.
Dem Senators: Finally, I'd like to call on [Senator] to continue to express support for Feinstein's Keep Families Together Act.
GOP Senators: I am calling on [Senator] to support Feinstein's Keep Families Together.
You: <Additional comments>
House:
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling to express to [HOUSE MEMBER] I believe last week's executive order does not adequately address the situations created by the zero tolerance policy.
You: The executive order only further creates family detention centers, and also does not provide adequate resources for reuniting the families already separated. The DHS keeps claiming they have a plan; when will we see actual details and progress?
You: For all of those reasons, I am calling on [HOUSE member] to support Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer's call for the administration to establish a family reunification czar. We need someone dedicated to overseeing the efforts toward reuniting these families.
You: I am also calling on [HOUSE MEMBER] to support Rep Nadler's Keep Families Together Act (H.R. 6135). We need to move forward on this critical legislation.
You: <insert optional comment>
2. Continue calling on both chambers to open investigations into the zero tolerance policy.
Given the weekend's revelations that some asylum seekers are being asked to agree to self-deport in exchange for being reunited with their kids, and the constant stories of abuse happening in facilities, we should absolutely be pushing for investigations.
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling today to ask [House elected/senator] open up investigations into the DHS's implementation of the zero tolerance policy.
You: On a daily basis now, we're reading stories of children being drugged, tied up and mistreated. We're also hearing stories of asylum seekers being told they can have their kids back, if they agree to self-deport. Governors are already asking for investigations, and I expect Congress to do the same.
You: Congress can begin by looking into how care vendors were selected, and investigate the contracting process - e.g. did any of these contractors have a history of abuse?
You: Can I count on [elected] to push for investigations questioning these practices and contractors, and push for department and policy changes?
You: <Insert optional comments here>
Given the weekend's revelations that some asylum seekers are being asked to agree to self-deport in exchange for being reunited with their kids, and the constant stories of abuse happening in facilities, we should absolutely be pushing for investigations.
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling today to ask [House elected/senator] open up investigations into the DHS's implementation of the zero tolerance policy.
You: On a daily basis now, we're reading stories of children being drugged, tied up and mistreated. We're also hearing stories of asylum seekers being told they can have their kids back, if they agree to self-deport. Governors are already asking for investigations, and I expect Congress to do the same.
You: Congress can begin by looking into how care vendors were selected, and investigate the contracting process - e.g. did any of these contractors have a history of abuse?
You: Can I count on [elected] to push for investigations questioning these practices and contractors, and push for department and policy changes?
You: <Insert optional comments here>
3. Asking governors who have military bases in their state, that are rumored to be preparing for tent cities, to do everything in their power to curb those facilities. If those facilities are already doing in-take, then tour the facilities.
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling to ask [GOVERNOR] to address the rumors of a tent city being added to [military base].
You: I understand that government might be limited in specific actions, but I want it to be clear: as a constituent, I do not approve of migrant children being housed on military bases, and I absolutely expect [governor] to do everything in their power to reflect what constituents think, and take the appropriate action.
You: I am also calling on governor to do everything in their power to tour the facilities in question. We need public transparency, and accountability in our own state.
You: <insert optional comments here>
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling to ask [GOVERNOR] to address the rumors of a tent city being added to [military base].
You: I understand that government might be limited in specific actions, but I want it to be clear: as a constituent, I do not approve of migrant children being housed on military bases, and I absolutely expect [governor] to do everything in their power to reflect what constituents think, and take the appropriate action.
You: I am also calling on governor to do everything in their power to tour the facilities in question. We need public transparency, and accountability in our own state.
You: <insert optional comments here>
4. Continue calling your AGs and asking them to join the lawsuit being filed by multiple state AGs, with an eye toward reuniting the kids. (See previous newsletter for details)
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling on [AG] to join the other state attorneys generals who are planning on suing the Trump Administration to compel reunification for the 2.3K children separated from their families .
You: As Maryland's AG Frosh confirmed in an interview: the executive order does not adequately address the problems that have resulted in family separation; including how to reunite the families. , and the government appears to not have a concrete plan.
You: Please sign onto the lawsuit and compel the administration to act.
You: <insert optional comment>
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I am calling from [zip code].
You: I am calling on [AG] to join the other state attorneys generals who are planning on suing the Trump Administration to compel reunification for the 2.3K children separated from their families .
You: As Maryland's AG Frosh confirmed in an interview: the executive order does not adequately address the problems that have resulted in family separation; including how to reunite the families. , and the government appears to not have a concrete plan.
You: Please sign onto the lawsuit and compel the administration to act.
You: <insert optional comment>
5. This one's a little random, but still related. Since I don't see a lot of people making a call on this - make a call to your local school board, asking them what policies they have in place when it comes to ICE.
After reading this story about Boston, I think it's a warranted move.
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I'm calling to ask what policies [school board] has in place when it comes to dealing with ICE.
If nothing: Great! Please continue to maintain this status. Thank you and have a nice day.
If it's we can't talk about it/we comply with federal law:
You: The recent case out of Boston shows us the dangers of the school board cooperating with [ICE], and I am asking school board to not cooperate.
After reading this story about Boston, I think it's a warranted move.
You: Hi, my name is [name]. I'm calling to ask what policies [school board] has in place when it comes to dealing with ICE.
If nothing: Great! Please continue to maintain this status. Thank you and have a nice day.
If it's we can't talk about it/we comply with federal law:
You: The recent case out of Boston shows us the dangers of the school board cooperating with [ICE], and I am asking school board to not cooperate.