The Harmful Consequence of Separating Families

Statement

Human and Civil Rights

Last update June 21, 2018

The presidents of NAS, NAE, and NAM have issued a statement urging the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to immediately stop separating migrant children from their families. Reports from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine contain an extensive body of evidence on the factors that affect the welfare of children – evidence that points to the danger of current immigration enforcement actions that separate children from their parents. In addition, the Committee on Human Rights stresses that the practice of separating parents from their children at the border is inconsistent with U.S. obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"Parents take enormous risks - leaving their loved ones and friends behind, uprooting from their community, giving up all assets, and exposing themselves to danger, physical harm, and financial risks - for the future of their children. The narrative that migrant parents are irresponsible or careless about the well-being of their children cannot be further from the truth. This, in fact, is the story of my life. My parents fled China, giving up everything, for a better future for their children. I cannot forget that."

Victor Dzau, President, National Academy of Medicine

Read about the Presidents' statement in the news: