Statement from Board of Regents Chancellor Betty A. Rosa and Commissioner of Education MaryEllen Elia on Family Separation Policy

“Some issues go beyond partisan, parochial politics. Ensuring the well-being of children is one such universal issue. It is hard to imagine a presidential administration that is so willing to use innocent children as pawns in a political game – literally tearing 4 and 5-year-olds from the loving arms of their parents.

“We have all seen the images and heard the audio of these separations and it is enough to break the heart of any caring person. Yet our nation’s chief law enforcement officer turns to the Bible, of all places, to justify the administration’s cruel, cruel policy. And to be sure, despite the knowingly false claims of the President and his staff, these children are being separated from their parents as the result of a policy decision of this administration. A repugnant and reprehensible policy that must be stopped today.

“Work conducted by the Regents Early Childhood Workgroup’s Blue Ribbon Committee confirms what should be obvious to all – a traumatic incident in a child’s life can have life-long negative consequences that must be addressed comprehensively through trauma informed care. Shame on our government for their complicity in creating that trauma.

“Because this President does not appear to have the compassion or understanding to reverse his cruel separation policy, it is time for our elected officials to demonstrate courage and act. Today the Board of Regents and the NYS Education Department call on our members of Congress, regardless of political party, to stand up for families and children and put an immediate end to the President’s cruel and immoral policy.”