LA City Councilmembers Call for the Humane Treatment of Unaccompanied Minors and the Consideration of their Status as Refugees

Officials announce the introduction of a City-wide resolution that denounces to repeal the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act, reducing immigrant children’s access to immigration hearings

Los Angeles Councilmembers Gil Cedillo, Mitch O’Farrell, Nury Martinez and Curren Price announced their introduction of a city-wide resolution Thursday calling for the immediate support and humane treatment of unaccompanied immigrant minors. Standing with a coalition of Central American community organizations and local residents, the elected officials expressed their support of ensuring that all minors receive a fair immigration hearing and consideration of their status as refugees. The resolution officially places the City’s position on its Federal Legislative Agenda and denounces any efforts to repeal or reverse the 2008 Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act., which was created to ensure the safety and legal protection of unaccompanied children.

“When we take politics out of the equation, we are dealing with an issue that involves child refugees that are fleeing violence and abuse in their own countries,” said Councilman Gil Cedillo. “We have a humanitarian duty to protect these children and make sure they are not placed in harm’s way again. The resolution we will present tomorrow will let the world know that the City of Los Angeles stands with the children.”

“As a mother and councilwoman, I believe that our responsibilities to all children extend beyond borders and politics. My heart goes out to those parents that were forced to send their children alone because keeping them meant a far worse fate. Our nation succeeds, in part, because of our compassion,” said Councilwoman Nury Martinez. (Continue reading at the new ninth)