Don’t be silent on border dispute

As executive director of the state agency charged with enforcing the Florida Civil Rights Act, and as a mother of three beautiful children, I am deeply concerned with the issue our nation is facing today: separating children from their parents “suspected” of illegally entering the United States. I find myself joining the chorus of many Americans, from both sides of the aisle, in condemning the Department of Homeland Security policy, a policy that has sent nearly 2,000 children to mass detention centers or foster care. I cannot sit idly by and not voice my concern about a system that encourages the warehousing of children apart and often at great distances from their parents.

I agree that our immigration system is not working as intended. However, the injustice of a zero-tolerance policy is not the answer. We cannot simply sit back in the comfort of our homes and stay silent. As Americans, we must have an honest and frank discussion on this issue and act quickly to resolve the issue.

I call on decision-makers at all levels of government to step up and act now. If we pride ourselves on being a nation that sees people for the content of their character, not the color of their skin, not the country of their birth and not the religion of their choice, then we have an obligation to reunite these detained children with their parents. But first and foremost, we must stop separating parents and children. And, let us never forget these words… “Truly, I tell you, whatever you did not do to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.”