As a country, what did we do to these kids?

I condemn any policy deliberately separating asylum-seeking immigrant children from their parents. This is not an image of America I support.

As a family-law attorney, I see our courts carefully seeking the best interest of our own American children. In contrast, this zero tolerance policy was deliberately and methodically inflicting damage upon immigrant children.

What mechanisms ensure the safety of these children in detainment who may not speak English, and perhaps may not be old enough to speak at all? A child’s experiences can become permanent scars. And mistreated children can become adults who mistreat others.

Our government chose to punish children for their parents’ actions. By supporting this policy, we, as a country, voluntarily and intentionally inflicted permanent trauma on immigrant children. This is a shameful low point in our nation’s history.

Joe Jimenez

Marysville, Ohio

Two significant takeaways from President Donald Trump reversing his immigrant-separation order are:

❚ Trump’s action proves he (and everyone who spoke in his defense) was continually lying, again and again, when he claimed that he couldn't do anything, and that Democrats were responsible and needed to change their bad law.

❚ A majority of Republicans in Congress were pleased to stay out of it and let Trump keep the hammer on immigrants and their kids, if there weren't election consequences.

Trump will probably lie that he was told he couldn’t change the policy on his own. But what excuse will Republicans, who have failed to check the abhorrent behavior of this president, have?

Malcolm Kantzler

Corrections & Clarifications

Thursday’s opposing view on VA nursing homes misstated Peter O’Rourke’s title. He is acting secretary of Veterans Affairs. USA TODAY is committed to accuracy.

To reach us at any time, call 800-872-7073 or e-mail accuracy@usatoday.com. Please indicate whether you’re responding to content online or in the newspaper.