Rep. Juan Vargas is strongly criticizing a Trump administration plan to separate children from their parents when families cross the border illegally.
“It is appalling that DHS would try to use family separation as a deterrent aimed at families fleeing violence and seeking asylum,” said Vargas, a Democrat whose 51st District stretches along the Mexican border from Imperial Beach to Arizona.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said the policy was under consideration as a way to deter undocumented immigrants from making the long, dangerous journey from Central America.
“Yes I am considering it, in order to deter more movement along this terribly dangerous network. I am considering exactly that. They will be well cared for as we deal with their parents,” said Kelly in an interview with CNN.
Vargas and his colleagues in the Hispanic Caucus fired off a letter to Kelly on Thursday “opposing this heartless proposal” and arguing that it could violate international law.
“This is not who we are as a nation,” said Vargas. “Our country has a history of welcoming refugees and immigrants.”