News

11/05/18

 In solidarity with our partner, the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC):

Open Buffalo statement on Changes to Flores Settlement Agreement

As a community-based organization with a mission to create systemic changes leading to an “open” city for residents of Buffalo, N.Y., through the measures of equality, justice, and freedom, Open Buffalo stands firmly opposed to efforts to overturn or otherwise unravel protections afforded to vulnerable children and families under the Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA).

The current federal administration’s inhumane practice of family separation has rightfully faced widespread and bipartisan condemnation. Children don’t belong in cages, no matter where they happen to have been born. The idea of making defenseless migrant minors even less safe, more isolated, and more traumatized by the United States government flies in the face of our nation’s stated ideals and the long fight for civil and human rights.

The departments of Homeland Security and Health and Human Services should not be in the business of hurting thousands of children. The last thing that these departments should be doing is drafting policies that will inflict further harm on migrants who have already endured great hardship and pain.

Rather than amending rules to weaken FSA protections, the federal administration should be drafting comprehensive immigration reforms that keeps families whole and processes all comers to the United States with the dignity and respect that they deserve.