Bill Text: NJ SR88 | 2018-2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Condemns federal government's policy of separating immigrant children from parents.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Passed) 2018-06-21 - Filed with Secretary of State [SR88 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2018-SR88-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator JOSEPH P. CRYAN
District 20 (Union)
Senator M. TERESA RUIZ
District 29 (Essex)
SYNOPSIS
Condemns federal government's policy of separating immigrant children from parents.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution condemning the federal government's policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the Southwestern border of the United States.
Whereas, The federal government, since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, has begun prosecuting an increasing number of immigration violations under criminal law instead of civil law; and
Whereas, On April 6, 2018, the Department of Justice enacted a "zero tolerance" policy under which all unauthorized crossings at the Southwestern border of the United States will be treated as criminal offenses; and
Whereas, These policies separate families crossing the border without authorization, since the parents are placed in criminal detention centers while the children are taken into the care of the Department of Health and Human Services; and
Whereas, It has been reported that over 2,400 immigrant families have been separated at the Southwestern border between October 2016 and May 2018; and
Whereas, These separations may last months, or even years, since the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services have few procedures in place to ensure the reunification of separated families; and
Whereas, It has been reported that the motivation for these policies is not to maintain the safety of the children, but merely to deter others from committing immigration violations; and
Whereas, These policies are unjust, since they indiscriminately break the sacred bond between child and parent, which should only be broken by the government in cases of dire need; and
Whereas, These polices are against the values of the United States, which traditionally prides itself on being a beacon of hope for beleaguered people all over the world; and
Whereas, These policies run counter to the interests of New Jersey, which depends upon immigrants for its cultural and economic growth; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House condemns the federal government's policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the Southwestern border of the United States.
2.
Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be
transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the President and Vice President
of the United States; the Majority and Minority Leaders of the United States
Senate; The Speaker and Minority Leader of the United States House of
Representatives; and every member of Congress elected from this State.
STATEMENT
This resolution condemns the federal government's policy of separating immigrant children from their parents at the Southwestern border of the United States.
Since the inauguration of President Donald Trump in 2016, the federal government has begun prosecuting an increasing number of immigration violations under criminal law instead of civil law. In addition, on April 6, 2018, the Department of Justice announced a new "zero-tolerance" policy, under which all immigration violations along the Southwestern border are to be treated as criminal offenses.
The result of these policies is that families who cross the border without authorization are divided. The parents are taken to criminal detention centers and the children are taken into the care of the Department of Health and Human Services. It has been reported that over 2400 immigrant families have been separated at the Southwestern border between October 2016 and May 2018. Furthermore, it has been reported that the motivation for these polices is not the safety of the children, but merely to deter others from committing immigration violations.
These policies are unjust. The bond between child and parent is sacred and should be broken by the government only in cases of dire need. These policies, however, break this bond indiscriminately.
The policies are also contrary to the basic values of the United States. The United States traditionally prides itself on being a beacon of hope for beleaguered people all over the world, but these policies will tarnish that reputation.
In addition, the policies run counter to the values and interests of New Jersey. It has been reported that, between 2010 and 2016, New Jersey's population growth was entirely dependent on immigrants. Thus, these policies, by discouraging the immigration of families to New Jersey, will cause the State economic harm and cultural loss.
