Reglona Ofcors Fiona Board Chir ‘ann Tompton Incoming gional Board Chair ining Warsaver Reploal Stat Feglona Decor "aaron Argus ‘Associate Regional Director insay Baoes Friedmann Eaueaton Decor ‘Malaea lca National Oficors ‘atonal Char Marvin Nathan (CEO and National Director ety Naina Decor Kemeth ecabson Netora Detar Emertus ‘Sbshem H-Forman ADL ‘Anti-Defamation League® June 19, 2018 Via E-Mail ‘The Honorable Steve Scalise Majority Whip U,S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Dear Representative Scalise: ‘After hearing about your remarks to the National Sheriff's Association, I write to you today, on behalf of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), to voice our strong opposition and concer over the current “zero-tolerance” policy. This policy, which actively separates children from their parents at the border, is inhumane and unconscionable. In your speech, you spoke about the need to close “loopholes” in our laws regarding immigration, but we hope you share our view that the law must be clear in opposing family separation, as well. We call upon you, in your position of leadership in the House of Representatives, to support legislative action to stop this practice by joining over 100 other Representatives in co-sponsoring the “Keep Families Together Act.” Asa Jewish organization, ADL understands the plight of immigrants or refugees fleeing violence, oppression and persecution. Many of these families are seeking asylum in the United States to escape violence in Central America, To target families, many of whom are fleeing from horrific situations, by taking their children away is immoral. It inflicts unnecessary trauma on children and families and negatively impacts their health and well-being. America is a nation of immigrants, and ‘much of our moral fiber is defined by how we treat the most vulnerable among us. As a civil rights organization, we believe that separating children from their parents as they cross the border is cruel punishment for those seeking asylum or a better life. This “zero tolerance” policy will also exacerbate the challenges and burden on our immigration system by adding to the backlog of deportation cases and legal challenges in federal courts, Further, it will put thousands more into detention facilities, endanger the lives of more children, break up family units, and instill new fear in people secking safety in our country, Rep. Scalise, as you know, there is no law that requires children to be separated from their parents. ‘There is also no law against secking asylum. Any orderly and fair asylum process must be humane, as well. Compassion and justice are core concepts of the American identity, and this policy shows neither. We call upon you, as Majority Whip, a leader in the House of Representatives, to take action to condemn the policy, and support legislative efforts, such as the “Keep Families Together Act,” to prokibit the separation of children from their parents as part ofthe immigration and asylum process, Sincerely, Aaron Z. Ahiquist Regional Director, South Central Region Anti-Defamation League South Central Region 3747 West Esplanade Avenue, Metairie, LA 70002, T S04.780.5602 F 504.780.5640 neworleans.edl.org