FALSE CHOICE

Trump Planning ‘Voluntary Separations’ in Latest Bid to Deter Migrants

Would force parents to choose separation or remaining imprisoned together.

Donald Trump is reportedly planning to offer families “voluntary separations” in his administration's latest attempt to deter migrants from entering the country. The New York Times reports that one proposed replacement for the forced separation policy—which the administration had to abandon after it caused outcry—would be to offer families the choice of giving up their children to foster care or remaining imprisoned together. The second choice would require parents to waive their child’s right to be released from detention within 20 days. The goal would be to “maximize deterrence and consequences for families,” according to an unnamed source said to be familiar with the discussions. Another possible option, according to the report, is to process migrant cases on a first-in, first-out basis, to make border crossers doubt whether the journey is worth it.