Undocumented families fear “zero-tolerance policy”
Some families with mixed citizenship status are living in fear due to the Trump administration’s controversial “zero-tolerance” policy that separates some children from their parents at the border.
New numbers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection show that undocumented families caught trying to cross the border in San Diego have increased 135% from the same time period as last year. The largest numbers coming from Mexico.
It’s not just people trying to cross the border who are worried about being separated, it’s some of those who have already made it through.
KESQ & CBS Local 2’s Katie Winder traveled roughly 45 miles outside the valley to meet with a family living in constant fear.
“Because this is her country, in my country there is no future for her,” said Elisa, an undocumented immigrant, and mother of a U.S. born citizen.
Eliza’s daughter, 12-year-old Amilee, said she tries not to think about the fact that her parents are undocumented.
“I always worry for them, and sometimes I just close my eyes and just breathe and think that everything is going to be fine,” Amilee said.
She said it is an exercise she has to do everywhere, in the car, at the movies, even on a quick trip to the store. It is also something her parents only do about every two weeks to avoid detection.
“They’re always worried about what is going to happen. What if they leave and they never return,” Amilee added.
“It’s sad, it’s sad because they’re our kids and us as parents try and do the best for them,” Eliza said.
The zero-tolerance policy took effect in the spring, prompting criminal prosecutions of everyone apprehended at the border. The policy has resulted in thousands of children being taken from their parents.
New numbers from the administration show more than 23,000 children were taken from their undocumented immigrant parents in just 5 weeks.
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