Boozman Statement on Efforts to Keep Families Together

Statement

U.S. Senator John Boozman (R-AR) released the following statement in support of efforts to eliminate separating families detained at the border after President Donald Trump signed an executive order to end the practice of separating migrant families who try to enter the country illegally:

"Our immigration system is broken and in desperate need of repair. Nowhere is that more apparent than at our porous southwest border. I have been working for years with my colleagues to address this crisis and institute real security measures--including pushing for an end to the flawed "catch and release' practices--at our southwest border.

That is why I appreciate President Trump's push for a strict adherence to our immigration laws. However, I disagree with the decision to separate families detained after attempting to cross the border illegally.

We can strictly enforce our immigration laws, end "catch and release' practices and thus secure our borders without breaking families up. That is why I joined with a number of my Republican colleagues earlier this week to express this view to Attorney General Sessions and request the administration end this practice. It is also why I have joined with Sen. Cotton and some of our colleagues to help introduce legislation to keep families together at residential centers pending the outcome of their immigration proceedings."

BACKGROUND: Today, Boozman cosponsored and helped introduce the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act. Among other things, this legislation addresses the treatment of accompanied minors and families at the border by requiring the Department of Homeland Security to keep families together at residential centers pending the outcome of their civil or criminal immigration proceeding.

Source