Time for ‘morality’: N.Y. pols

After a visit to a Yonkers shelter for immigrant children Tuesday, Rep. Eliot Engel said America had a “moral obligation” to reunite separated families as quickly as possible.

The New York Democrat, who represents parts of the Bronx and Westchester County, said the children needed their parents.

“They were well cared for, but no matter how comprehensive the care, the fact remains that these poor children were ripped away from their families (by) the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane border policy,” Engel told reporters after he toured the facility with a delegation of fellow Democrats.

“The President hasn’t done what he said he was going to do, which is reunite these children. They must be reunited as soon as it is humanly possible,” said Engel.

The boys and girls — all younger than 12 — seemed in good spirits at the Rising Ground shelter despite their ordeal, Engel said.

The children, mostly from El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras, played with each other and with local foster children, he said.

“They seemed like just kids,” Engel said. “I told them who I was and why I was here. They seemed puzzled about me.”

Engel was accompanied by New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, Assemblywoman Aridia Espinal (DQueens), City Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Queens) and other area politicians.

The group first requested the tour back on June 23.

Engel, the ranking Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, plans to introduce legislation soon to speed up the reunification process.

“It makes me sad and it makes me ashamed,” Engel said Tuesday. “We have a moral obligation to reunite these traumatized families. I won’t stop until every parent is able to hold their child in their arms again.”