Trump Order to Stop Family Separations Draws Reaction

Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle are weighing in on President Donald Trump's executive order that ended the practice of separating children from adults who illegally enter the United States.

Republicans are generally siding with Trump, while Democrats are largely opposed to the order — saying more needs to be done to prevent illegal aliens who are captured crossing into the U.S. from being detained for weeks with their children.

Here is a sampling of reactions:

The ink isn’t even dry on the new executive order ending separation policy & some Democrats already arguing that keeping families together isn’t enough. Now they want them & their parents released after unlawful entry knowing full well that high % will never appear for hearing
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 20, 2018

Just heard Senate colleague on floor say U.S. detains immigrant children “indefinitely & indiscriminately”. That is just PATENTLY FALSE. They are entitled to due process hearing so not indefinite. And only applies to those who enter U.S. unlawfully so its not indiscriminate.
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) June 20, 2018

This week, I called on the administration to halt family separations, so I am glad the president reversed his position and signed an executive order. We will continue to work toward a long term solution.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) June 20, 2018

My statement on @POTUS’ immigration executive order >> pic.twitter.com/biDd3gTpbM
— Leader McConnell (@SenateMajLdr) June 20, 2018

It’s a relief that @realDonaldTrump has reversed himself & recognized the cruelty of his policy of separating families. While the EO doesn’t reference the families already ripped apart, I hope & expect that the admin will be able to quickly reunite these children w/their parents.
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 20, 2018

President Trump and his enablers in Congress have taken these children hostage to try to enact their anti-immigrant agenda into law. Don’t be fooled: this crisis does not need a bill to fix it—it requires the GOP to stand up and call for an end to this monstrous Trump policy.
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) June 20, 2018

.@realDonaldTrump’s executive order seeks to replace one form of child abuse with another. Every child is entitled to basic human rights. Instead, the President is paving the way for the long-term incarceration of families. https://t.co/kzlWr9y6Zt
— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) June 20, 2018

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah: "The President made the right choice today by stopping the inhumane policy of separating children from their families. But our work is far from over."

We’re still digging into Trump’s EO, but here's what we know right now:
If implemented, there will continue to be zero tolerance for all asylum seekers, including domestic violence survivors, a system of locking up children by the thousands & all carried out in our country’s name
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) June 20, 2018

This isn’t over. Thousands of kids have been ripped from their parents with no plan to reunite them. And now @realdonaldtrump wants to create new detention camps for families. Separating kids is unacceptable – but indefinite imprisonment of families is still cruel & inhumane.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) June 20, 2018

For weeks @realDonaldTrump claimed only Congress could end this merciless policy. Today’s executive order is an admission both that he lied to America & his attempt to hold children hostage has failed because of Americans’ outrage.
— Steny Hoyer (@WhipHoyer) June 20, 2018

It’s extremely troubling that the president’s executive order would require immigrant families with children to be detained indefinitely. The order appears to be the next step in the Trump administration’s larger agenda to eliminate basic protections for asylum seekers.
— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) June 20, 2018

Today the American people, through their forceful and justified outrage, proved they can drive change even during the Trump administration. But we must not be fooled: We need to ensure that the 2,500 children already separated are promptly reunited with their families.
— Sen. Patrick Leahy (@SenatorLeahy) June 20, 2018

Trump's executive order does not fix this crisis. It gives no solution for the thousands of children who have been torn away from their families and remain separated.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) June 20, 2018

Very pleased President @realDonaldTrump will issue an Executive Order dealing with the separation of children and parents detained at our southern border.

Only Congress can provide a permanent solution regarding the legal dilemma created by the 1997 Flores settlement agreement.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) June 20, 2018

Trump’s executive order merely replaces one inhumane act with another. In response to the overwhelming public outrage at his policy of tearing children away from their parents at the border, this administration thinks the appropriate response is to indefinitely detain families. https://t.co/whZNxHzLHv
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 20, 2018

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Lawmakers React to Trump Order Stopping Family Separations

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