Family Separation Policy — Information and Opportunities to Engage
A Letter from Maya Wiley, The New School’s SVP for Social Justice, and Melanie Hart, The New School’s Director of Social Justice Initiatives
The New School’s mission is to prepare students to understand, contribute to, and succeed in a rapidly changing society, thus making the world a better and more just place. We will ensure that our students develop both the skills that a sound education provides and the competencies essential for success and leadership in the emerging creative economy. We will also lead in generating practical and theoretical knowledge that enables people to better understand our world and improve conditions for local and global communities. We commit to fulfilling our mission by extending The New School’s legacy as a nontraditional university and community, nimble, and responsive to change that focuses on and engages with critical contemporary issues. Moreover, The New School’s commitment to social justice is articulated in its strategic plan as a university-wide commitment that is embedded in all of its goals.
To help The New School fulfill its mission, and commitment to social justice, the Office of Social Justice will engage The New School community and periodically share information regarding critical contemporary issues. The information shared is done with respect of the fact that there is diversity of thoughts, ideas, and viewpoints within The New School community. With over 14,000 faculty, staff, and students representing over 116 countries, information provided to the community is intended to be a resource and opportunity for engagement; neither conformity nor unanimity of thought nor action are solicited or required.
This document is an information resource regarding the federal zero tolerance immigration policy and concomitant family separation policy. This document is intended as an information resource only.
The federal government’s “zero tolerance” immigration policy promises to prosecute all persons who illegally cross the border, which includes individuals who seek asylum. Under the zero tolerance policy, thousands of children were forcibly removed from their families as they were detained for crossing the border. The United Nations called upon the United States to immediately halt the process of family separation indicating that it “amounts to arbitrary and unlawful interference in family life, and is a serious violation of the rights of the child.” On June 20, 2018 the President signed an executive order to “maintain family unity” as part of the zero tolerance policy. However, the Executive Order does not make provision to (1) reunite families that have been separated, (2) mandate the conditions under which children and families must be detained and/or cared for, or (3) offer a humane path toward legal immigration and citizenship.
As this human crisis continues, there are many ways to get and stay involved:
1. Contact your elected officials and demand support for humane and equitable immigration policies and practices, including reunification of families separated through the zero tolerance policy. Specific legislation to consider includes:
a. S.3036 Keep Families Together Act
b. H.R. 5950 Humane Enforcement and Legal Protections for Separated Children Act
2. Raise your voice and build solidarity through protest
3. Donate your time and resources to organizations — (lists of organizations may be found in the Slate article listed below)
4. Stay informed and participate in dialogues within your community
Additional resources:
