President Donald Trump will visit Minnesota Wednesday amid impassioned controversy over his administration’s “zero-tolerance” border-protection policy, begun in April, that separa…
President Donald Trump will visit Minnesota Wednesday amid impassioned controversy over his administration’s “zero-tolerance” border-protection policy, begun in April, that separates children of migrants from their parents.
News reports and images of children, including toddlers, kept inside steel-fenced areas — “cages” to critics — have grabbed the attention of the world, as well as the nation and Minnesota itself.
On Tuesday, we asked Republican members of Minnesota’s congressional delegation, as well as prominent Republican candidates for Congress. We did not ask candidates for state offices; Congress has the power to directly change the policy, or let it stand. (Trump also has this power. If you’re confused about this — the policy versus the law — here’s a good explainer from the Washington Post.)
RELATED: Here’s what Minnesota’s congressional Republicans, and hopefuls, are saying about Trump’s family-separation border-crossing policy
Here’s what Democrats said, in news releases, floor speeches and on social media:
U. S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, is seeking re-election. She said:
“The Trump Administration should never have allowed children to be forcibly separated from their parents at our border. What’s happening right now is a tragedy and an outrage.
“Since the Administration began enforcing its new policy, nearly 2,000 children have been separated from their parents. Children are being held in detention centers. The President chose to do this and he could end it today. He won’t, so we must.… We can’t allow this cruelty to continue. This isn’t who we are. Congress must lead so that we fix this — now.
“This shouldn’t be happening in our country and it must stop.”
U. S. Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat, was appointed in January by Gov. Mark Dayton to replace former U. S. Sen. Al Franken, who resigned. Smith is seeking election to serve out the remaining two years of the term. She said:
“I believe (Homeland Security) Secretary (Kirstjen) Nielsen has lost the credibility to lead DHS, and that she needs to step down.
“Some 2,300 children were separated from their parents at the border between May 5 and June 9.
“That is plainly wrong. It runs counter to who we are as a country. And despite what Secretary Nielsen claims, this is a policy of this administration, which has repeatedly and publicly said they would implement it, calling it a ‘zero tolerance’ policy—a policy Secretary Nielsen is responsible for overseeing.”
U. S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat representing Minnesota’s 4th Congressional District, which includes St. paul, is seeking re-election. She said:
“I oppose President Trump’s outrageous policy of separating families on our southern border. Tearing children from the arms of their parents, confining them in cages with children caring for one another should never happen anywhere in the world. And it should never happen in America.
“The National Association of School Psychologists calls this – ’emotional violence.’ They go on to say – ‘Such trauma can have life-long consequences with respect to children’s mental and behavioral health.’
“This is a human rights violation committed by the Trump administration. And make no mistake – President Trump has the power to end this today. When the President says that he is required by law to enact this policy, or when he blames Democrats for the crisis he has created – Mr. President – you are not telling the truth.
“So tomorrow, you don’t need to campaign in Minnesota. You need to stay in Washington. Stop this heartless policy. The American people demand these children be given back to their parents.”
U. S. REP. TIM WALZ
U. S. Rep. Tim Walz, a Democrat from Rochester, represents the 1st District. He isn’t seeking re-election; he’s running for governor. He said:
“Almost 2,000 children have been ripped from their parents’ arms at the border by DHS under the Trump administration’s unconscionable zero-tolerance policy. This clear violation of human rights threatens the very health and well-being of these young children and represents a vile stain on our nation’s moral fabric. Separating these families is morally indefensible, and Secretary Nielsen misleading the public about it is completely unacceptable. The secretary should resign immediately.
“Ultimately, the buck stops with President Trump, who refuses to act within his power to end this madness. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to put an end to this cruel policy. To that end, I introduced the Keep Families Together Act today alongside House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler and over 190 House Democrats.”
U. S. Rep. Keith Ellison, a Minneapolis Democrat, represents Minnesota’s 3rd District. He isn’t seeking re-election; he’s running for state attorney general. He said:
“The Trump Administration’s policy of separating children from their families is heartless, cruel, and immoral.… I urge the Trump Administration to reverse their decision to inflict this traumatic cruelty on children and families.”
U. S. Rep. Rick Nolan, a Democrat, represents the 8th District covering northeast Minnesota. He isn’t seeking re-election; he’s running for lieutenant governor. He said on Twitter:
“Putting young children in cages is not border protection. It’s child abuse & it’s time to put a stop to it. Today, I will become an original cosponsor of major legislation to end the practice of #FamilySeparation & speed up reunification.… Mr. President, man up and use your authority to immediately put a stop to the immoral, horrific separation of immigrant families at the border.”
U. S. Rep. Collin Peterson, a Democrat representing western Minnesota’s 7th District, is seeking re-election. he said:
“Separating children from their parents is a cruel policy which is bad for families and children, and will in no way make our country safer. This practice needs to end immediately and Congress should move to consider reasonable policies to improve border security and reform our immigration system.
