The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has released a statement in response to the families separation policy enacted by the US at its border with Mexico. "The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly opposes the Border Security and Immigration Reform Act" reads the statement, "which was released by the U.S. House of Representatives leadership today. Instead of putting children first by ending the harmful policy of family separation at the border once and for all, this legislation strips children of protections designed for their safety and well-being and exposes more children, not fewer, to detention, including long-term detention. Pediatricians have repeatedly spoken out against the detention of immigrant children; this legislation is not the answer and puts children at greater risk of harm." The statement also makes reference to a previous AAP policy statement condemning the use of detention for immigrant children.
