Whereas, on April 6, 2018, Attorney General Jeff Sessions notified all United States Attorney’s Offices of a new zero-tolerance policy for immigrants crossing the border into the United States illegally; Whereas this zero-tolerance policy has led to a significant increase in the number of immigrant children, as young as 18 months, held in United States Government custody separated from their parents; Whereas Department of Health and Human Services shelters are at near full capacity, with the agency contemplating housing these children at military bases, and the average length of time spent in these shelters is up to 57 days this year, compared to 51 days last year; Whereas reports from organizations providing care for these children have reported signs of separation trauma , inability to sleep, nightmares, crying, and begging for their parents, or physical pain, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has emphasized separating children from their parents can cause irreparable harm to a child’s health and well-being; and Whereas the United States House of Representatives must come together and address this abusive and cruel policy that is ripping apart families: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) condemns the Trump administration’s zero tolerance policy that is separating children from their parents at the United States border; (2) identifies this policy as child abuse, as it fails to protect children crossing the border; (3) recognizes that this zero tolerance policy may inflict irreversible damage to the health of these children that could have a lifetime of consequences; and (4) remains actively committed to keeping children and their parents together as they come to the United States, many of whom are fleeing violence.