Albany – State legislators and advocates held a Press Conference at the capitol today condemning the heartless policy of separating children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border and condemning the White House for its refusal to end the practice. 

Shortly after the Press Conference, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte released the following statement:

"Our country is a nation of immigrants, and I reject any attempt to crack down on vulnerable people fleeing unimaginable circumstances in an effort to save their families' lives.

We have all seen the tragic images of children in cages at the border, children ripped away from their parents, and we have also heard horrifying cries of these young children as they scream out for their mothers and fathers. The type of country that would do something so appalling to families merely seeking a better life for themselves is not one I want to call home.

I call on the President and his administration to demand that the monstrous and morally bankrupt policy of family separation ends now! Even by the abysmal standards of this administration this policy is an all-time low.

We as Americans and residents of this country can hold our heads high only if we remain a beacon of hope to the world. We are calling on the administration to keep our families together because they belong together."

This afternoon, members of the New York State Assembly and Senate released a letter addressed to U.S. Attorney General Jefferson B. Sessions and the Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen.

In addition, today is Refugee Day and on June 30th the group MoveOn.org is rallying around the country and in Washington, D.C., to tell Donald Trump and his administration to stop separating kids from their parents! If you would like to join a join a June 30 #FamiliesBelongTogether Action you can do so here.

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