Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) called the policy of separating children from their parents "un-American" and signed an executive order barring any state resources from being used to help with this process.
What did the governor say?
With this executive order, Hickenlooper targeted the long-standing U.S. policy of separating children from their parents after an illegal border crossing into the United States if the parents are charged with a crime. The Trump administration's zero-tolerance policy of prosecuting all illegal border crossings has caused an increased number of these separations.
“Purposely separating children from their parents is immoral and un-American. Immigration enforcement is a necessary function of our federal government, but it is beyond comprehension that the Trump administration is using these families as pawns to deter immigration.”
— John W. Hickenlooper (@GovofCO) June 18, 2018
In a news release, Hickenlooper said, "If the White House won’t act, Congress should. No political end is worth destroying families and traumatizing children."
What did Colorado's senators say?
Both of Colorado's senators, Cory Gardner (R) and Michael Bennet (D), both voiced support for Hickenlooper's move.
Nearly four hours after Hickenlooper announced his new executive order, Gardner tweeted out that “the separation of children at our southern border” was a result of a broken immigration system that had to be reformed “immediately.”
Our immigration system is broken & the separation of children at our southern border shows just how critical it is that Congress pass immigration reform immediately. Children should not be penalized for the actions of their parents, & that’s exactly what is happening right now.
— Cory Gardner (@SenCoryGardner) June 18, 2018
What else?
Hickenlooper also sent a letter to the Senate and the House of Representatives asking them to pass “a clean version” of Sen. Dianne Feinstein's (D-Calif.) “Keep Families Together Act.” Sen. Bennet is co-sponsoring that bill, along with every other Democrat in the Senate.
In addition to Feinstein, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz proposed the Protect Kids and Parents Act legislation to end the separation of immigrant children and parents.
Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) is introducing legislation in the House.
