WASHINGTON, D.C. — The following is a statement by Ali Noorani, Executive Director of the National Immigration Forum, regarding President Trump’s executive order on Wednesday:
“President Trump was right to reverse a decision his administration never should have made in the first place. But let’s be clear: Family detention is not the solution to family separation.
“Alternatives to detention, which have proved extremely effective, are better for both the immigrant family and the American taxpayer. If we detained only people convicted of serious crimes, we could save the American taxpayer about $1.44 billion a year.
“The embarrassing and inhumane pictures of the last few weeks have disgraced our nation, tarnished its reputation and stained its legacy. Rectifying that will take more than returning to problematic policies.”