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Wyden And Merkley Join Democratic Senators In Attacking Trump Immigration Policy

An unidentified man caught trying to cross the Mexico-U.S. border awaits processing at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection site in McAllen, Texas, June 17, 2018.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection
An unidentified man caught trying to cross the Mexico-U.S. border awaits processing at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection site in McAllen, Texas, June 17, 2018.

A contingent of 19 Democratic Senators lambasted the Trump Administration for its “zero tolerance” policy against immigrants today. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

An unidentified man caught trying to cross the Mexico-U.S. border awaits processing at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection site in McAllen, Texas, June 17, 2018.
Credit U.S. Customs & Border Protection
An unidentified man caught trying to cross the Mexico-U.S. border awaits processing at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection site in McAllen, Texas, June 17, 2018.

Although the president said he’s ended the separation of children from their detained parents through an executive order, many Senators took the White House to task for how it’s handled the issue and ensuing controversy.

Images and sounds of caged children drew outrage from both sides of the political aisle.

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaking from the Senate Floor today against President Trump's immigration policies.
Credit Still from live Senate Floor feed.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaking from the Senate Floor today against President Trump's immigration policies.

Ron Wyden of Oregon says his family fled Nazi Germany with other Jewish refugees. Those unable to do so died in concentration camps. Wyden says there was nationalist fervor back then that echoes anti-immigration sentiments today.

“The rallying cry for those who wished to keep people like my Jewish parents out of this country, those who denied Jewish refugees safety in their moment of desperation…the rallying cry…was ‘America First,’” Wyden told the chamber. 

The forum was organized by Oregon’s other Democratic Senator, Jeff Merkley.

President Trump says while keeping families together, the U.S. must still remain “tough” on immigration.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Copyright 2018 KLCC

Brian Bull joined the KLCC News Team in June 2016. He is a 20-year reporter who has worked at NPR, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including three Edward R. Murrow Awards and the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award in 2012.