In the wake of President Trump reversing course on separating families at the border, U.S. Senators Jim Inhofe and James Lankford have joined the group of Senators introducing legislation addressing the issue. The measure is called the Keep Families Together and Enforce the Law Act.
A policy known as the Flores Settlement Agreement led to the Departments of Homeland Security or Justice being unable to keep children in custody with their parents for an extended period of time once the parents are charged with a crime for crossing the border illegally. This agreement is the result of the 1997 Flores v. Reno case, and subsequent interpretations by federal courts, about how to handle Unaccompanied Alien Children and family units who have crossed our border illegally.
The Senators are pleased that the President took action, but recognize that legislation is still needed to ensure that families can stay together.
“We are a nation that believes in the unity of families, the rule of law, and the protection of children; our immigration laws must reflect all of these values,” said Lankford “This common-sense bill keeps families together as much as possible at the border while also ensuring we are able to enforce the law. Now is also the time to fix our outdated immigration laws to secure the border, address DACA, crack down on human trafficking, and also streamline the legal immigration process.”
“I’m proud to support this key legislation that would overturn the court case that results in family separation, permanently addressing the root cause of the crisis,” said Inhofe. “As we continue to improve our border security and build the wall, this legislation focuses on keeping families together and ensuring they receive proper care.”
There is no legislation, it is an executive order which will no stand up in court.
Keep the families together and deport them if they are here illegally.
Enforce the law!