Senate Dem: Using young children as a ‘political foil’ is ‘abhorrent’

Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) on Sunday blasted the Trump administration’s policy of separating migrant families who cross the border illegally.

“I don’t think Americans would like to see children, 2 years old, 4 years old, torn away from their parents as a negotiating ploy in Washington, D.C. I think that’s the American view of this,” Reed said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“There are other ways to negotiate between Republicans and Democrats. Using children, young children, as political foils is abhorrent,” he added.

.@SenJackReed: “using children, young children as political foil is abhorrent.”
Watch the full interview at 2PM & 7PM ET @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/YzsRV8w3c8

— FoxNewsSunday (@FoxNewsSunday) June 17, 2018

{mosads}

Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced earlier this year that the Justice Department would enact a “zero tolerance” policy and aggressively prosecute adults attempting to cross the U.S.–Mexico border illegally. At the time, Sessions acknowledged the process could lead to children being separated from their parents upon being apprehended.

Trump administration officials have repeatedly defended the policy, arguing that it acts as a deterrent against illegal immigration. They have also blamed Democrats for failing to negotiate stricter immigration laws.

Democrats and Republicans, however, have spoken out against the practice.

The White House has indicated it does not intend to end the policy unilaterally.