Consider This from NPR How The Family Separation Policy Came To Be
Aug 16, 2022
Caitlin Dickerson, an investigative journalist for The Atlantic, delves into the harrowing family separation policy from the Trump administration. She outlines how over 5,500 children were separated from their parents under a controversial zero tolerance approach. The discussion reveals the enduring trauma for families still facing the aftermath of separation. Dickerson also shares insights into the internal conflicts within the government that exacerbated the situation, highlighting the emotional toll on both families and officials involved.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Separated Child's Plea
- A six-year-old Salvadoran girl was recorded asking for her aunt's number.
- Border Patrol agents had the number but refused her call, highlighting the policy's cruelty.
Policy's Origins
- Caitlin Dickerson's investigation reveals the Trump administration's "zero tolerance" policy was a culmination of post-9/11 border security.
- The policy, resulting in family separations, aimed to deter illegal immigration through harsh consequences.
Caseworker's Experience
- Alma Acevedo, a caseworker, described separated children as inconsolable, unlike anything she had seen.
- The children's trauma highlighted the policy's devastating impact, even on experienced professionals.