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Trump border policy: How to help immigrant children separated from families

An immigration policy implemented by the administration of President Donald Trump in May has led to an significant increase in migrant children being separated from their families.

The “no tolerance policy” attempts to crack down on illegal boarder crossings and allows border security agents in the Southwest to separate children of immigrants trying to enter the U.S. illegally, according to CBS News.

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The Associated Press reported that, according to government statistics, the police has separated nearly 2,000 children from their families, placing them in detention centers and shelters.

Protest

Organizations like National Domestic Workers Alliance and Families Belong Together have hosted events across the country to raise awareness and call for aid to families who have been separated.

Contact elected representatives

Advocates on this issue can find out who represents your state and contact them to express disapproval of the separation of immigrant children from their parents at the border. A sample script is at the American Civil Liberties Union website. and says, “Hi, my name is (your name) and my zip code is (your zip code). I’m urging the Senator to denounce Trump’s family separation policy and use all of Congress' authority to stop it.”
Find the contact information for Congress at Senate.govand House.gov.

Related: Immigration: Trump administration defends 'zero tolerance' policy

Write to media outlets

Vicki Gaubeca, the director of Southern Border Communities Coalition, told The Cut that writing op-ed pieces and letters to the editor at media outlets can raise awareness. 

“If you think about what the Republican Party has stood for, it’s family values and protecting children, so it seems contradictory that they’re engaging in this enforcement activity of ripping kids from their families,” she said. “It’s really troubling to see that an administration can be so callous. It’s beyond the pale.”

Sign petitions

Organizations like the ACLU and National Domestic Workers Alliancehave petitions on their websites that call on the Trump administration to stop separating immigrant children from their families. 

Volunteer and donate 

According to the website of U.S. Rep. Tony Cárdenas, D-Calif., the detention centers and shelters holding the unaccompanied children do not allow volunteers, but services can be provided in the form of pro bono legal services, as a foster care parent and in monetary donations.

Some organizations that take donations and volunteers in support of the children are below.