Dem lawmaker: Migrant family separation policy ‘is on all of us’

Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas) on Sunday called the Trump administration’s policy of cracking down on illegal border crossings, which has led to the separation of migrant families, “inhumane,” but acknowledged it is the responsibility of all lawmakers.

“This is inhumane. I’d like to say it’s un-American but it’s happening right now in America,” O’Rourke said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

“And it is on all of us, not just the Trump administration. This is on all of us,” he added.

Rep. Beto O’Rourke, who is running for Senate in Texas, says the process of separating families is “inhumane. I’d like to say it’s un-American, but it’s happening right now in America. And it’s on all of us, not just the Trump administration” https://t.co/kSkxtixb38

— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) June 17, 2018

{mosads}

O’Rourke’s comments came hours before he is scheduled to tour a facility in Texas where migrant children are being held.

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced last month that the Justice Department would enact a “zero tolerance” policy and aggressively prosecute adults attempting to cross the U.S.–Mexico border illegally. At the time, Sessions acknowledged the process could lead to children being separated from their parents upon being apprehended.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly defended the policy, arguing that it acts as a deterrent against illegal immigration.

Reporters and lawmakers have toured Texas holding facilities for migrant children in recent days, and raised new concerns about their treatment and awareness of the policy.

Democrats and Republicans have spoken out against the practice.

O’Rourke, who is running to unseat Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) in November, said he is crafting legislation to end the practice of family separation. The bill will be introduced in the House this week, he said. 

“There’s a way to do this. The right way to do this,” he said. “And I want this country to do that at this critical moment. We will be judged for what we do or what we fail to do right now.”