An update on the children of migrants who were forcibly separated from their family members by federal agents, at the orders of Donald Trump.
From Jacob Soboroff of NBC News:
BREAKING: Trump administration releases latest numbers on migrant kids it separated from parents.
This is most detailed data we've seen so far.
➡️ 2,654 total kids separated.
➡️ 565 *still* separated; 24 are 0-5 year olds.
➡️ Parents of 366 *already* deported; 6 are 0-5. pic.twitter.com/c3YAnJzk7R— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 16, 2018
Government now says parents of 154 waived the right to reunite — including parents of a kid between 0 and 5.
ACLU challenged this today, saying some were "misled or coerced" into waiving reunification.
I tried to visit a man in that category yesterday: https://t.co/1A61UtajcC pic.twitter.com/zMKJzrEyee
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 16, 2018
Going in @ICEgov detention center in SoCal to meet still-separated dad Ascencion who signed form saying he didn’t want to be reunited with his 15 year old son — says he didn’t know what he was signing.
I’m with his lawyers from @ImmDef.
Not sure if ICE will let me meet him. pic.twitter.com/dFLLZqpdH1
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 15, 2018
No luck.
We were met by these agents from ICE and Geo Group, private prison that runs Adelanto.
Guy on left said they were expecting me but I couldn’t get in to see Ascencion despite advance notice.
Waited three hours while attorneys went in.
ICE says maybe next week. pic.twitter.com/NRUBdtS3xh
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 15, 2018
Ascencion sent out this letter for me to read:
They‘re deporting me without me knowing. The government is treating me very badly. I‘m being ignored.
The separation is affecting me a lot. I don’t know that I will ever forget this. I am going crazy. I am in an inhumane situation. pic.twitter.com/LymkmQBcCD
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 15, 2018
Hope I get to meet Ascencion soon.
He told his @ImmDef lawyers about three other separated dads in Adelanto who feel they signed forms they didn’t know would give up right to reunite.
DOJ says 163 waived reunification, many got deported.
Driving home with @AarneHeikkila. pic.twitter.com/1rd2sb5QZB
— Jacob Soboroff (@jacobsoboroff) August 16, 2018
