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Wyden And Merkley Join Democratic Senators In Attacking Trump Immigration Policy

U.S. Customs & Border Protection

A contingent of 19 Democratic Senators lambasted the Trump Administration for its “zero tolerance” policy against immigrants today. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.

Although the president said he’s ended the separation of children from their detained parents through an executive order, many Senators took the White House to task for how it’s handled the issue and ensuing controversy.

Images and sounds of caged children drew outrage from both sides of the political aisle.

Credit Still from live Senate Floor feed.
U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) speaking from the Senate Floor today against President Trump's immigration policies.

Ron Wyden of Oregon says his family fled Nazi Germany with other Jewish refugees. Those unable to do so died in concentration camps. Wyden says there was nationalist fervor back then that echoes anti-immigration sentiments today.

“The rallying cry for those who wished to keep people like my Jewish parents out of this country, those who denied Jewish refugees safety in their moment of desperation…the rallying cry…was ‘America First,’” Wyden told the chamber. 

The forum was organized by Oregon’s other Democratic Senator, Jeff Merkley.

President Trump says while keeping families together, the U.S. must still remain “tough” on immigration.

Copyright 2018, KLCC.

Brian Bull is an assistant professor of journalism at the University of Oregon, and remains a contributor to the KLCC news department. He began working with KLCC in June 2016.   In his 27+ years as a public media journalist, he's worked at NPR, Twin Cities Public Television, South Dakota Public Broadcasting, Wisconsin Public Radio, and ideastream in Cleveland. His reporting has netted dozens of accolades, including four national Edward R. Murrow Awards (22 regional),  the Ohio Associated Press' Best Reporter Award, Best Radio Reporter from  the Native American Journalists Association, and the PRNDI/NEFE Award for Excellence in Consumer Finance Reporting.
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