One of the stories dominating headlines in 2017 was the Trump administration’s policy of separating undocumented immigrant parents at the border from their children. Many Americans were rightly horrified by the practice and, under intense pressure, Trump was compelled to issue an executive order ending the separation policy in June 2018, but not until after thousands of children had been taken from their parents, who were then deported.

As John and Ana discuss in this clip, at least 545 children remain who have not been reconnected with their parents since the so-called “zero tolerance policy” was revoked. This despite help from the ACLU and other legal groups and organizations. Ana credits these groups for their selflessness and dedication, but laments not only that so many children haven’t been reunited with their parents, but also that some of the parents who were located in their home countries said that their circumstances are so desperate that they preferred to have their children remain in the United States and out of danger.

John points out that even for the children who are reunited with their parents, this experience of victimization and trauma will likely remain with them for the rest of their lives - and the truly unspeakable thing is it was all done by design with the specific intent to punish asylum seekers and discourage others from attempting to come to the United States in the first place.