American Nurses Association: ANA-Maine statement on separation of immigrant families

Dear ANA-Maine members:

ANA-Maine is supporting the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics, calling to prevent harm done to immigrant children by separating families at points of entry to the US. Therefore, ANA-Maine is calling on the Maine Congressional delegation to take action to end the practice of separating families, when immigrants are escaping violence and present to the Department of Homeland Security, as they enter the USA, at the southern border.

“Separating children from their parents contradicts everything nurses stand for as as we advocate for protecting and promoting children’s health,” Catherine Snow, president of ANA-Maine. "We support the position of the American Academy of Pediatrics as stated by President Colleen A. Kraft, M.D., M.B.A., FAAP. The implementation of the latest policy of separation of children and parents is the latest example of harmful actions by the Department of Homeland Security against immigrant families, hindering their right to seek asylum in our country and denying parents the right to remain with their children.”

Nurses supported by the ANA-Maine are requesting for our Congressional delegation, led by Senator Susan Collins, Senator Angus King, Representative Chellie Pingree and Representative Bruce Poliquin, take decisive actions to end these harmful actions and protect immigrant children from forced separations from their families.  Catherine Snow, President