Santa Clara County Officials: Unaccompanied Children Deserve Compassion
July 16, 2014
SAN JOSE, CA – Santa Clara County is ready to assist in the efforts to care for unaccompanied children crossing the U.S. border, announced local and federal officials today.
The announcement, from U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), and Mike Honda (CA-17), San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Santa Clara County Supervisors Dave Cortese and Cindy Chavez, and San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo, comes as large numbers of unaccompanied children crossing the U.S. border in Texas have created an unfolding humanitarian situation that requires a coordinated federal, state and local response.
"Small children and refugees fleeing violence in their home countries require our support, not our acrimony," said the officials. "And where other communities may turn these needy children away, our community is ready and willing to be compassionate.
"We urge communities in the Bay Area, throughout the State of California, and across the nation to join us to make good on America's promise of fairness and due process."
Under law, as a part of their deportation proceedings, every unaccompanied child is entitled to an evaluation to ascertain whether they are victims of human trafficking, have been abandoned or are eligible for asylum because of persecution. If not eligible, they will be returned home. But until this examination is complete, these children will remain in America where they must be treated humanely.
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The announcement, from U.S. Representatives Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), Anna G. Eshoo (CA-18), and Mike Honda (CA-17), San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed, Santa Clara County Supervisors Dave Cortese and Cindy Chavez, and San Jose City Councilman Sam Liccardo, comes as large numbers of unaccompanied children crossing the U.S. border in Texas have created an unfolding humanitarian situation that requires a coordinated federal, state and local response.
"Small children and refugees fleeing violence in their home countries require our support, not our acrimony," said the officials. "And where other communities may turn these needy children away, our community is ready and willing to be compassionate.
"We urge communities in the Bay Area, throughout the State of California, and across the nation to join us to make good on America's promise of fairness and due process."
Under law, as a part of their deportation proceedings, every unaccompanied child is entitled to an evaluation to ascertain whether they are victims of human trafficking, have been abandoned or are eligible for asylum because of persecution. If not eligible, they will be returned home. But until this examination is complete, these children will remain in America where they must be treated humanely.
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Issues:ImmigrationHomeland Security
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