Michiana's legislators are weighing in on the separation of migrant children and parents at the US-Mexico border.

U.S. Representative Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph released the following statement:

“It’s time for this ugly and inhumane practice to end. Now.

“It’s never acceptable to use kids as bargaining chips in political process. For some time, I’ve said that separating young, innocent children from their parents is the wrong approach. The right approach is legislation to address the root issues.

“This week, the House should vote on a bill that would keep families together, give long-term stability to Dreamers, and improve our border security.

“Enough finger pointing. Time for action and solutions.”

Representative Jackie Walorski, R-Jimtown released the following statement

“We are a nation of laws, but we are also a nation of compassion. The policy of separating children from their parents who cross the border illegally fails to live up to our American ideals of respect and human dignity. I am working with my colleagues toward commonsense legislation to end this policy, secure our borders, and provide a long-term solution for Dreamers.”

Representative Dan Kildee, D-Flint released the following statement

“It makes me sick to my stomach seeing children being torn away from their parents and being detained in cages. This is not who we are as a country. The reason for this inhumane practice is the Trump Administration’s zero-tolerance child separation policy. It is morally wrong and cruel to separate a child from their family. Tearing apart families flies in the face of our American values. I am working on legislation in Congress to reverse these immoral Trump Administration policies.”

U.S. Senator Joe Donnelly, D-Ind. released the following statement

While people trying to enter our country illegally should be held accountable and our immigration laws should be enforced, my faith has taught me that our policies should also reflect our values, and I believe that the Administration's new policy that separates families - including separating babies and young children from their parents - is wrong and not consistent with our shared American values. We need to fix our broken immigration system and strengthen our borders, and I continue to stand ready to work in a bipartisan manner to do so. It will take everyone working together to reach a solution, including Senator McConnell, Speaker Ryan and President Trump and I'm hopeful that solution will be in line with our values.

U.S. Senator Gary Peters, D-Mich. released the following statement on Twitter

No child should be forced to experience the trauma of needless separation from their parents—scared, unsure of their surroundings & when they’ll see family. Last week, I cosponsored @SenFeinstein’s bill to stop the unnecessary & heartbreaking family separations at the border.

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich. posted the following statement on Twitter

The situation on the border is cruel and heartbreaking. I am a cosponsor of @SenFeinstein’s must-pass bill that would end the separation of children and families.