Washington, D.C. – Following the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision to green light the enforcement of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s controversial immigration bill that allows Texas police officers to arrest migrants Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) President Wendy Young issued the following statement:
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling opens the door for the implementation of harsh legislation that will directly impact the security and well-being of children who have fled their home countries in search of safety. Abbott’s bill will fuel an environment of fear in immigrant communities across the country – including for children who are authorized, with legal status, or even U.S. citizens – and hamper access to critical community resources and services that impact their ability to thrive.
“This Texas bill dangerously conflates the role of traditional law enforcement and federal immigration enforcement, directly contributing to an erosion of trust with law enforcement among immigrants that can lead to a detrimental curtailing of public safety–putting children at a greater risk of harm and discouraging them from reporting abuse, exploitation, and trafficking. Further, this legislation can engender another family separation crisis, causing permanent harm to children suddenly separated from their families who may be summarily deported, leaving the children without the protection of guardians.
“Today’s ruling greenlights a deeply flawed policy that fails to recognize and protect the vulnerability of unaccompanied children and that sees them as children first. It’s shortsighted and dangerous to sidestep child protection in the name of cracking down on immigration. Lawmakers and policy leaders must do better.”
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Media Contact: Megan McKenna, mmckenna@supportkind.org, 202-631-9990