Immigration

Washington, D.C. – National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) President and CEO Jay Timmons released the following statement calling on America’s elected leaders to end the policy of separating children from their parents after being apprehended for entering the country illegally:

It is a child’s worst nightmare to be taken away from a parent, and nothing strikes fear into the hearts of parents like the idea of their children being taken from them. On this very core issue of humanity, nearly all Republicans and Democrats, liberals and conservatives, agree.

The images we’re seeing and the stories that are being reported from the border are horrifying—young children being warehoused in cages, separated from their parents, and often from their own siblings. This is not what America stands for. This two-month-old policy destroys America’s credibility as a beacon of freedom, liberty, opportunity and compassion in the world.

Today in America children are being held hostage by political partisans. Manufacturers demand that Congress and the administration fix this horrifying injustice now. There are no excuses and no one else to blame. It can be accomplished in a few days—or even hours. The administration can change this policy with a stroke of a pen. Congress can pass a clean bill prohibiting the separation of immigrant children from their parents and send it to the President for his signature.

Manufacturers have long advocated real solutions to our immigration challenges, and we reaffirm our call for comprehensive legislation. But not this week. Today, action is urgently needed to address this very specific travesty, because thousands of innocent children will lie awake tonight wondering if they will ever see their parents again. Inaction or delay is inexcusable and immoral.”

-NAM-

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) is the largest manufacturing association in the United States, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Manufacturing employs more than 12 million men and women, contributes $2.25 trillion to the U.S. economy annually, has the largest economic impact of any major sector and accounts for more than three-quarters of private-sector research and development. The NAM is the powerful voice of the manufacturing community and the leading advocate for a policy agenda that helps manufacturers compete in the global economy and create jobs across the United States. For more information about the Manufacturers or to follow us on Shopfloor, Twitter and Facebook, please visit www.nam.org.