Family separation a travesty to children

The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ), deplores the wholesale separation of children from their parents at the U.S. border, without the due process of law, as a devastating tragedy. The fact that these children and families are detained in facilities without an opportunity to be heard in court is contrary to our country’s established rule of law.

The NCJFCJ urges all to consider the adverse effects on these children, placed in congregate care, a placement strongly disfavored by federal law when they are removed from their parents. Not only are these children immediately traumatized, but also their chance for a productive and happy life is significantly reduced by their experience. We see similarly situated children in our juvenile and family courts daily and work with all parties involved to give children an opportunity to see their parents regularly and to gain a safe, permanent, and stable home. This is not the case with the children being removed at the border.

We ask our nation’s leaders to reconsider the current separation policy so that these children are reunited with their families and not subject to further trauma.

This story was originally published June 22, 2018 at 2:52 PM with the headline "Family separation a travesty to children."