(Austin, Texas): On Tuesday, June 19, 2018, Representative Shawn Thierry (D-Houston) addressed the issue of a newly submitted application by Southwest Key Programs to manage a detention facility in Houston which will hold immigrant children who have been separated from their parents resulting from President Trump's new immigration policy.

"I am disturbed and disgusted by the reports and images of children being held in cages at these immigration detention centers, which have become the equivalent of 'baby jails.' Separating families is the antithesis to any pro-life or pro family policy, so it is hypocritical of the Trump administration to attempt to justify this in any way," stated Representative Thierry.

The Washington Post reports that over two-thirds of Americans now oppose Trump's family-separation policy. The policy has sparked national outrage and protests around the country.

"Right now we are really in the dark. We don’t really know what type of system border patrol and the detention centers are using to properly identify the babies, children, and their parents once they are abducted, separated, and then transported from city to city. Without strong oversight, there is a high risk of these children and mothers also become victims of human trafficking. Our goal must be reuniting the children with their parents as quickly as possible and ending this immoral policy solely authorized by the Trump administration."

Representative Thierry remarked, "If in the unfortunate event Southwest Key Programs decides to move forward with opening the detention center facility in Houston, I would call on my colleagues, along with every child advocacy group and human rights organization in the state, to work together to implement strong oversight policies and transparent record keeping made available to the our local authorities and the Texas Legislature."

"It is ironic and sad that as we are honoring Juneteenth and the emancipation of Texas slaves, we are also witnessing children and parents being ripped apart from one another and all across our Southern border," stated Rep. Thierry.