International
16 other states join New York in suing Trump over migrant family separations
Days after the city of New York sued US President Donald Trump for separating no less than 2,000 kids from their parents at the US-Mexico border following a highly criticised “zero tolerance” immigration policy, 16 other states have joined in the suit.
Reports say the states, all of which are led by Democratic attorneys general, joined Washington, D.C., in filing the lawsuit in US District Court in Seattle.
“The administration’s practice of separating families is cruel, plain and simple,” New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in an emailed statement.
“Every day, it seems like the administration is issuing new, contradictory policies and relying on new, contradictory justifications. But we can’t forget: the lives of real people hang in the balance.”
It’s the first legal challenge by states over the practice.
Read also: Relief for Mugabe as parliament drops move to probe him over missing $15bn diamond revenue
According to US Department of Homeland Security spokesman, 1,995 minors were separated from 1,940 adults who crossed the US border without documents between April 19 and May 31.
Reports say the adults were held in preparation of prosecution for undocumented entry into the United States, immigration violations, or possible criminal conduct.
The separation of the kids from their parents are a consequence of this prosecution, as minors cannot be held with their parents or legal guardians.
The move has been criticised and has come under fire from politicians, immigration advocates and human rights groups.
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