Proof of the atrocities on our southern border are increasing daily. In response, the federal government issued a new asylum rule. Starting yesterday, people seeking asylum must first petition for asylum in the closest neighboring country. Should that request be denied, the refugee is then eligible to petition for asylum in the United States. This change occurs amid the tragic deaths of Oscar and his daughter Valeria Martinez, revelations of the inhumane treatment experienced by those held in detention, and threats of widespread ICE Raids across the country.

We at Kids Forward often call on Wisconsin leaders to “stand up for Wisconsin’s kids.”  Now, we implore them to stand up for the children and families at the border. Exercise true leadership by demonstrating compassion and basic humanity. Speak up against these atrocities, name and claim our role in creating them, and take steps to address the root causes for which we’re responsible. We must commit to solutions for children and families who have escaped to our border and those who are still enduring the consequences of U.S. policy in their home countries. Administrative changes in asylum policy and process have led to a humanitarian crisis where children seeking refuge encounter irreparable trauma and death. This must stop.

The United States has criminalized migration and demonized families seeking refuge from Latin American countries. Although we have seen increases in migration along the Southwest border, notably, nationals from China were the single largest nationality granted asylum in 2016.  Furthermore, according to a June 2018 Brookings Institution publication, “In 2016, the U.S. government detained 224,854 people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras—less than one-tenth of 1 percent of the U.S. population. If they were allowed to stay, and even if the rate were maintained for a decade, it would still be a much smaller share of the U.S. population than previous waves of Irish, Italians, and Russian Jews”- all of whom were fleeing persecution.

The context in which the Trump administration is making these decisions matters. For nearly a century, the United States has directly contributed to the destabilization, economic crises, and criminal activity that plagues Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras. On this side of the border, our selectively-enforced War on Drugs has benefitted the profiteers, increased demand, and destroyed communities and families across Latin America. As recently as February 2018, former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson stated, “U.S. demand for drugs drives this violence and this lawlessness.”

The historical record is clear. We have chosen to exploit the turmoil and violence. The United States financed and trained those who undermined democratically elected governments in Latin America. We installed leadership that privileges U.S. interests, and forces citizens to make decisions against their economic self-interest and well-being. We have yet to see policies that support children and families.

These actions have consequences. Consequences which have returned to our borders and will ripple through generations.

We can no longer abdicate responsibility. Children and families seeking refuge in the United States are fleeing violence and chaos that we aided. We are complicit. The least we can do is allow the children to remain united with their families and provide for basic human needs.  Among other things, we must:

• Lift the cap on asylum petitions allowed from Latin American countries where the United States has a historical record of adverse policy outcomes.
• Abide by international and U.S. law by permitting the most vulnerable asylum seekers – women, children, and families – to reside in the United States pending an asylum petition decision without fear of separation and detention.
• Keep children with their families, and ensure the basic dietary, health, mental health, and educational needs of children while they are in our care.
• Place children in the least restrictive environment possible when they must be housed and release them to parents or guardians without delay, as provided by federal law and guidance.

The actions being perpetrated by our nation’s leaders are dangerous, immoral, and violate basic human rights. Children are being traumatized, abused, and dying at the hands of American systems. We often ask Wisconsin’s representatives and residents to “stand up for kids” in Wisconsin.  Now we ask them to stand up for kids and families at our southern border.  Their lives, and our humanity, depend on it.

Stephanie Muñoz, with contributions from William Parke-Sutherland and Erica Nelson