Former Reagan adviser says family separation contradicts GOP values
WASHINGTON – An adviser to former President Ronald Reagan said the Trump administration’s policy of separating undocumented families at the southern border is contrary to mainstream Republican Party values.
“Where’s the Republican Party of limited government intervention–really, the state separating parents and children???–and of family values decency,” Kenneth Adelman said in an email to TMN.
The practice of family separation coincides with the administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward those who enter the U.S. illegally. Under the policy people who cross the border without permission can be subject to prosecution.
Family separation took place on a smaller scale during the administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush.
President Trump signed an executive order two weeks ago that prohibits family separation but the order does not address the estimated 2,300 children who are being held at Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facilities.
A federal judge issued a ruling last week that orders the reunification of most undocumented families by July 25. The administration has said they will comply with the ruling.
The House of Representatives last week overwhelmingly rejected an immigration reform bill backed by GOP leaders that would have provided more than $7 billion to DHS to build new facilities to ensure undocumented families are not separated while they await a hearing before an immigration judge.
Adelman served as director of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency from 1983-87. He is the author of “Reagan at Reykjavik.”
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
Bryan is an award-winning political journalist who has extensive experience covering Congress and Maryland state government.
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