To the Editor: We had not imagined a few months ago, when we wrote to decry the trauma of forced family separation, that we would be called upon so soon to condemn, even more forcefully, another action of the federal government towards migrant children.
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To the Editor:
We had not imagined a few months ago, when we wrote to decry the trauma of forced family separation, that we would be called upon so soon to condemn, even more forcefully, another action of the federal government towards migrant children.
Over the holiday weekend, while most Americans were finishing their Thanksgiving celebrations, migrant children at the U.S.-Mexico border were attacked with tear gas in efforts to prevent them from seeking asylum. Immigration and immigration reform are complicated. However, we would offer a few simple truths: adults should never abuse children; military forces should never abuse children; governments should never abuse children and if we are witnesses to children's abuse, whether they are in our offices or at the border, we are compelled, by our oaths as physicians and our individual moral compasses, to speak out, as we are now, against such abuse unequivocally, unapologetically, and unceasingly.
Elizabeth Lowenhaupt MD, President of the RI Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Daisy Bassen MD, Vice President of the RI Council of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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PaulHuff
Doc, you left out the most important "Simple truth".....If a parent puts their children in a position to get tear gassed they are the ones to blame. Don't try to breach our border forcefully and it won't happen. Put the blame where it belongs, on those breaking our laws. And for the record, breaching the border and entering the country without authorization is not how one applies for asylum.
You should go see one of your co-workers as clearly you suffer from TDS (Trump Derangement Syndrome).
Thursday, December 6, 2018 Report this
Justanidiot
I agree with you except for one statement, "while most Americans were finishing their Thanksgiving celebrations"... Don't guilt me into something. Those kids would have been gassed if I at the Capital Grille or out of a dumpster. We need sensible, all the time policies. Don't stoop down to the POTUS's use of cheap sentiment to get your point across.
Thursday, December 6, 2018 Report this
Cat2222
The truth is two years ago, the people that were looking for asylum wouldn't have been facing these types of attacks. They would have been afforded the bare minimum of decency and allowed to be contained at the border while paperwork was processed. Now, two years later, tear gas is being flung over the wall. Coming in legal isn't even a thing anymore. Trump is basically closing down the entire process. I am not advocating free and open borders but for the sake of humanity, can we not find some middle ground? This is insanity!
Friday, December 7, 2018 Report this
davebarry109
Dr(s)....stop the lying. No one gassed children. Agents did not target children with tear gas. First, it was pepper spray, a harmless though painful less lethal force option. Second, the parents brought their children to an illegal event. Third, agents cannot control where a gas will go once released. You, as doctors, understand how gas works, I presume. So stop demonizing our law enforcement. NO ONE abused the children at the border. Facts matter. How would you like it if someone accused you of malpractice?
Friday, December 28, 2018 Report this
Thecaptain
I guess the good Dr. forgot that parents shuld never place children in harms way, nor should they force them to commit a crime. Attempted border crossing is a crime.
Monday, January 7, 2019 Report this