This past week has been significantly difficult for those who are watching the border issues revolving around the separation of children from their families. The entire scene of immigration at the borders is complex.
On the one hand, it appears we do have an approach which integrates immigrants into our society in a productive way. However, the separation of children from their families creates a lifetime of harm for those children.
We do need to maintain a level of human rights and protection for all children all over the world.
Whether the children are in a foreign country or are crossing our border, I believe they are vulnerable. They cannot defend their own lives and need the safety of responsible adults in order to be productive and healthy.
Many have been escaping horrific life circumstances in their own country and are looking for refuge. The impact of these children who are leaving their country and then are disconnected from their families is even more than traumatic to them.
Some video and audio of the children’s reactions are quite disturbing and have been playing all over the Internet. This issue is not a political but rather a human rights issue, and I believe America needs to be a leader in human rights for children.
Just to validate the potential damage to the children who are separated from their parents, here is an article written by Psychiatrist David Rosenberg. I think it properly summarizes the impact of children being separated from their parents.
I am thankful that we are moving toward stopping this destructive practice to these children.
I hope that we can come up with an approach which will preserve the emotional and relational health of these children, and we will find ways to protect them as they work through their growth into responsible and balanced adults.
Gerry Vassar, President/CEO
