Democratic lawmakers meet detained asylum seekers on Father's Day, call for end to family separation [View all]

Source: ABC News


By KENDALL KARSON
Jun 17, 2018, 4:33 PM ET

A group of Democratic lawmakers toured an immigration detention facility in New Jersey Sunday, meeting with detained asylum seekers who have been separated from their families under the Trump administration’s "zero tolerance" immigration policy.

"Today, on Father’s day, we spoke to fathers whose children have been ripped from their arms, who have no idea when or if they will see their children again," Rep. Jerrold Nadler said during a press conference with reporters after the surprise visit.

The House Judiciary Committee Ranking member led the group of seven lawmakers — including Reps. Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, and Reps. Albio Sires, Carolyn Maloney, Hakeem Jeffries and Adriano Espaillat of New York — for the excursion to Elizabeth Contract Detention Facility in New Jersey.

The House members lambasted immigration officials for delaying their entry into the facility to meet with those caught illegally crossing the southern U.S. border and torn from their families as part of the administration's new approach on illegal immigration.

Read more: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/democratic-lawmakers-meet-detained-asylum-seekers-fathers-day/story?id=55959670