The Trump administration is now giving parents who were separated from their children after illegally crossing into the United States the option to depart the U.S. with their kids or without them.
NBC News obtained a federal government form that spells out the policy, which is read to migrants who are being held after they snuck across the border, were arrested by Border Patrol agents, and claimed asylum.
The network quoted the form, which instructs adults to check one of two boxes, as saying: "I am requesting to reunite with my child(ren) for the purpose of repatriation to my country of citizenship," and "I am affirmatively, knowingly, and voluntarily requesting to return to my country of citizenship without my minor child(ren) who I understand will remain in the United States to pursue available claims of relief."
U.S. authorities read the form in Spanish or in whatever language the migrant speaks.
The Trump administration came under fire over the last month after it was reported that illegal aliens who were captured after crossing into the U.S. were being separated from their children because the adults were being processed criminally under a new zero tolerance policy. The separation practice no longer takes place, but illegal alien adults are still being charged criminally.
More than 2,000 children were separated from their parents under the zero tolerance practice. People who have yet to be reunited with their children are now being given the choice of either leaving the U.S. with their kids or without them.
Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) president Wendy Young told NBC News, "A child should never be held hostage to force a parent to relinquish their legal right to seek asylum."
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