There will not be a bill on immigration coming out of the United States House of Representatives this week. Next week looks like it will be a “free for all,” of bills from both the Republicans and the Democrats.
This week Congressman Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) announced via email to News Talk Florida that he will be introducing the Reunifying Separated Families Act of 2018 requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to immediately reunify children separated from their families at the border following implementation of the Trump Administration’s “Zero Tolerance” policy.
The bill puts the head of the Department of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen in the crosshairs. For each child not reunited within 30 days, DHS Secretary Nielsen would be fined $1,000 per child per day. While the Administration reversed course on its unthinkable policy of separating children from their parents, the crisis for these kids continues.
“This was a heartless policy and a nightmare for the children and families involved. More than 2,300 kids were ripped from their parents, yet the Trump Administration still has no plan for reuniting them with their families. It’s unacceptable,” said Crist. “The Reunifying Separated Families Act would hold the Trump Administration accountable until they return these children to their parents – where they belong.”
This week during a meeting on Capitol Hill during a meeting with Financial Services Committee, a senior ICE official refused to answer Crist’s questions about the agency’s policy of separating families at the border, the welfare of children taken from their parents, and plans for family reunification.
Thanks to the Crist office here is some key points about the bill that are the key points to focus on.
The Reunifying Separated Families Act of 2018 would begin to end the national nightmare created by the Trump Administration by doing the following:
Reunite Families: Immediately requires the Department of Homeland Security to reunite the estimated 2,300 separated children with their families.
Hold Trump Administration Accountable: Applies civil penalties to the Secretary of Homeland Security every day for each child not reunited with their parents.
Investigate Missing Children: Launches an investigation into Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Department of Homeland Security regarding why the federal agencies have lost children.
Permanent Ban on Separating Families: Permanently outlaws the practice of separating a minor child from their parents as part of enforcing immigration laws.
News Talk Florida will keep you posted on the progress of the bill introduced by Crist.