Congresswoman DelBene, local asylees speak about Trump immigration policy

SEATTLE — Congresswoman Suzan DelBene is speaking out against the Trump Administration denying asylum to victims of domestic and gang violence.

DelBene is a co-sponsor of the Keep Families Together Act, which would ensure that parents and their children could not be separated unless the children are being abused or used for trafficking.

DelBene spoke at an immigration law office in Seattle on Monday morning.

"It's cruel, it's frightening, it's immoral," DelBene said, "We should have zero tolerance for hatred, for bigotry, and for separating children and tearing families apart."

DelBene stood alongside Maikol, 18, who escaped from Honduras after his father was murdered by gang members. Gang members then tried to recruit him, though he was only 14 years old.

"Because I refused to join a gang, I was in serious danger, so was my whole family. My mother knew we had to leave," Maikol said, adding that he was separated from his mother for two days. "I couldn't really tell what was day and what was night. They had us in the prison where they didn't let us sleep. They would hit on the door of the cell and say, 'This is not a hotel for you to sleep so wake up. We don't want you to sleep.' The food they gave us was two pieces of bread with frozen ham in the middle."

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He worries about the children who are now separated from their parents for so much longer, with no reunification planned.

America, a mother of two children who escaped domestic violence in Mexico, also spoke about how she brought her two young children to live safely in the United States

"I was very scared and so were my children," said America, with the help of a translator. "One of the things that happened to me was my bed was lit on fire while I was in it with my child."

Together, they spoke out against the Trump Administration zero tolerance policy, denying asylum for victims of gang and domestic violence. Click here to watch a replay of the news conference.

"I think it's important the public speaks out about how cruel and inhumane this policy is, and that public outcry will hopefully make a difference in Washington, D.C., DelBene said.

Maikol graduated from Highline High School last weekend. He plans to attend Western Washington University in the fall. He wanted to study to be an immigration lawyer so he can help other families.

"I don't feel hopeless. I know there's a solution for the problem," Maikol said.

Cox Media Group