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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 13 augusT 2019

Governor wants answers on

4 kids separated from families

By MARK SCOLFORO ally released, and the fami- for.
Associated Press lies were reunited," Abbott Wolf said children can't be
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — said. "But I don't believe on left to fend for themselves
Pennsylvania's governor the other two we had any "while your department
says at least four children finality of the result." prioritizes overly aggres-
from his state were recently The emailed statement sive enforcement over their
separated from their par- from Immigration and Cus- health and safety."
ents by U.S. Immigration toms Enforcement said the "This is absolutely irrespon-
and Customs Enforcement agency "exercises discre- sible. Even worse, we are
and wrote Monday to de- tion" when arresting some- not aware that proper
mand the agency halt the one with children to ensure child welfare protocols —
practice until it has a plan someone is available to or even common sense
to ensure the welfare of care for the children, "con- — were used to ensure
children. sistent with local, state and safe and legal temporary
Gov. Tom Wolf asked federal law enforcement guardianship for these mi- In a Friday, June 28, 2019 file photo, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf
Homeland Security Acting conventions and proto- nor children," Wolf wrote. speaks during a news conference in Harrisburg, Pa.
Secretary Kevin McAleen- cols." After the Mississippi raids, Associated Press
an to account for all chil- In June 2018 — days after three Democratic con-
dren separated from their President Donald Trump gressmen sought more in- rated. were a threat to the chil-
parents this year in Pennsyl- retreated amid an inter- formation about how many Wolf told McAleenan that dren or others.
vania and to tell him how national uproar — a fed- parents were separated putting children through "Was this the case? If not,
long they were kept apart eral judge ordered that the from their children and separation was likely unjus- this is as unnecessary as it is
and about any steps the practice of splitting up fam- whether any remain sepa- tified unless both parents callous," Wolf wrote.q
federal government took ilies at the border be halted
to ensure their well-being. except in limited circum-
Wolf said in the letter that stances, such as threats to
the four children are U.S. child safety. The judge left
citizens and come from at individual decisions to the
least three migrant families. administration's discretion.
He said that "information Immigration and Customs
relayed" to state officials in- Enforcement's practices re-
dicated federal agents did garding children drew scru-
not make sure that the chil- tiny again last week, after
dren had adequate tem- 680 migrants were arrested
porary guardianship. at seven Mississippi chicken
An Immigration and Cus- processing plants.
toms Enforcement spokes- Trump said Friday the Mis-
man in Philadelphia said in sissippi raids served as "a
an email that any response very good deterrent" and
to Wolf's letter "would come defended the lack of suffi-
through the appropriate cient advance preparation
channels." for dealing with the chil-
Wolf spokesman J.J. Ab- dren whose parents were
bott said the separations detained.
occurred in Philadelphia in "The reason is because you
late July, and at least two have to go in, you can't let
of the kids have since been anybody know, otherwise
reunited with their parents. when you get there, no-
He said the administration body will be there," Trump
has been working to get said.
more details about what Wolf, a Democrat, told
happened in Philadelphia, McAleenan that state gov-
including exactly when ernment is willing to help
and where the separations to place asylum seekers
occurred. in communities and make
"We know that at least two, sure any separated chil-
their parents were eventu- dren are adequately cared