Official Statement from Mormon Women for Ethical Government on Child Detention

August 23, 2019

Mormon Women for Ethical Government condemns the regulation announced by the Trump administration on Wednesday that would abolish the 20-day limit on holding families in jails. Our opposition to this regulation is grounded in our clear and deeply held conviction that families are sacred and all children deserve to be cherished and protected. A government that disregards clear evidence of its own abuse deserves a strong rebuke and should immediately correct the harm it is causing to innocents, many of whom bring with them past trauma. To knowingly inflict further trauma on families upon their arrival at the southern border is intolerable.

While children are already a vulnerable population, immigrant children are especially at risk of developmental harm. Research by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) indicates that time spent in detention centers may be adding to this harm. In the AAP’s report detailing the lifelong and harmful effects of detention centers on immigrant children, researchers wrote, “There is no evidence indicating that any time in detention is safe for children.” 

Research shows that detained children are at risk of developmental delays, negative effects on academic performance, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. The AAP report continues, “Expert consensus has concluded that even brief detention can cause psychological trauma and induce long-term mental health risks for children.” The Department of Homeland Security Advisory Committee on Family Residential Centers recommends that immigration enforcement practices presume detention to be neither appropriate nor necessary, and never in a child’s best interest.

We hold sacred our responsibility to act in the best interest of all children, both our own and those of the greater family of God. We witness to the destructive short- and long-term effects on society that occur when such an eternal law is violated. We speak as those called to “protect and strengthen children and families” and plead for all elected officials and citizens to do the same. We ignore such violations at the peril of our individual and national souls.

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Mormon Women for Ethical Government (MWEG) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring women of faith to be ambassadors of peace who transcend partisanship and courageously advocate for ethical government. MWEG is not affiliated with or endorsed by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We do, however, fully sustain the leaders and doctrines of the Church.