Congressional Panel: Family Separation Crisis

“Immigration Policy Failures: from Family Separation to Detention Practices”

Sponsored by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS)

Moderated by: Tom Jawetz, Vice President, Immigration Policy, Center for American Progress

Panelists:

Ryan Mace, Grassroots Advocacy & Refugee Specialist, Amnesty International USA
Sanjeev K. Sriram, MD, MPH, Physician and Health Justice Activist, Doctors for America
Allen Orr, American Immigration Lawyers Association 
Jennifer Podkul, Director of Policy, Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Jennifer Quigley, Advocacy Strategist, Refugee Protection at Human Rights First 
Antonio Fernández, President/CEO, Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of San Antonio, Inc.

Panelist Biographies

Refreshments served

DHS’ use of family separation as a deterrent for people seeking asylum or migrating illegally to the United States will have long-term ramifications. Despite repeated requests and statements by the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 200 child welfare, juvenile justice and child development organizations, and Members of Congress to stop the practice, DHS continues to either separate families shortly after apprehension or through immigration enforcement actions and detention.