One Year Later...Families Are STILL Being Separated | Global Refuge

New name, same mission! LIRS is now Global Refuge. Learn more.

New name.
Same mission.

LIRS is now Global Refuge.

Welcoming newcomers since 1939.

See Our Evolution

The browser you are using is not supported. Please consider using a modern browser.

Skip Navigation
Donate
Start of main content.

Advocacy // Family Reunification

One Year Later…Families Are STILL Being Separated

Global Refuge logo

Global Refuge Staff

March 26, 2019

Nearly one year ago, on April 6, the Administration rolled out their zero-tolerance policy, which codified the practice of family separation. Media coverage of heartbreaking images of children fueled to public outrage, which after several months compelled the Administration to reverse the policy.

But while the policy is no longer in place, the practice of family separation is still a reality for hundreds of children and parents at our border.

We need you to take action today to help us stop family separation at the border.

Recent reports from the New York Times estimate that as many as 245 children may have been separated from their parents since the repeal of the zero-tolerance policy in June of 2018. Meanwhile, Global Refuge has documented at least 10 cases of family separation inflicted on children that have entered our care as unaccompanied minors.

Among those cases, was a baby boy — just 8 months old — who was separated from his mother on Christmas Eve. Equally heartbreaking was the case of a six-year-old with down syndrome who was separated from his mother. Global Refuge has worked to get the child into the care of his father; but, meanwhile, the traumatized mother was forced to participate in an assessment of her mental fitness in order to regain care of her vulnerable son.

Whether it’s one child — or one thousand — being separated at the border, this is unacceptable in America.

Tell Congress you will not tolerate the practice of family separation in 2019.

Global Refuge has a history of mobilizing engaged Americans to create powerful grassroots change behind the scenes, and advocates like you are at the heart of this work. Leveraging your power as a voter and constituent may seem like a small task, but for the people we serve, a phone call can make a big difference.

If you’re not already getting advocacy updates from us, make sure you’re on the list!

The Latest

  • Press Release

    April 9, 2024

    U.S. Refugee Admissions Program finds new life in FY 2024

    The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is on track to resettle the most refugees in three decades, and potentially meet the Biden administration’s goal of resettling 125,000 refugees this year.

    Read More
  • Press Release

    April 8, 2024

    A Global Refuge in Guatemala: new program serves repatriated youth

    Global Refuge's “Camino a Casa” program provides educational, vocational, and mental health support to youth returned to Guatemala.

    Read More
  • News

    April 5, 2024

    Harvesting Hope in Fargo

    The Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program stands at the forefront of the sustainable food movement, championing a future where access to nutritious, locally grown produce is within everyone's reach.

    Read More
  • News

    April 2, 2024

    Harrowing experience for immigrant women means challenging path to American dream

    On a small island off the coast of Lower Manhattan, a statue stands as a testament to the promise of the American dream. It’s not the towering Statue of Liberty – Mother of Exiles – but rather the likeness of Annie Moore, an Irish teenager who etched her name into history as the first immigrant to step onto U.S. soil through Ellis Island in 1892.

    Read More
  • Press Release

    March 26, 2024

    Global Refuge Statement on Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapse

    "We know our city is strong. We know we can and we will rebuild. And we also know the contributions of our immigrant brothers and sisters will continue to be essential in that effort."

    Read More

Share