A federal judge has temporarily halted on Tuesday, June 26, the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane policy of separating families, as well as ordering the White House to reunite all separated families within 30 days. However, the government is expected to appeal the decision.
Also, for children under five, they must be reunited with their families within 14 days, and all parents must be put in contact with their children within 10 days.
“This ruling is an enormous victory for parents and children who thought they may never see each other again. Tears will be flowing in detention centers across the country when the families learn they will be reunited,” said Lee Gelernt, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Immigrants’ Rights Project.
The enormous backlash against the practice of family separation erupted last week, sparking a firestorm of outrage. This Saturday, June 30, rallies are planned in Long Island and New York City to call for an end to separating families.
About 700 of the children are residing in New York State, Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated in published reports. Of those, eight are living in Long Island in the care of MercyFirst, based in Syosset.
On Monday, Congressman Thomas Suozzi and Nassau County Executive Laura Curran toured the MercyFirst facility to check on the well-being of the children. As of Monday, Newsday reported, two more children are now living there.
