One of the things the Trump Administration’s policy of separating immigrant families has revealed is the hypocrisy of politicians who call themselves “pro-family” and “pro-life.” This includes State Senator Mark Miloscia. He hasn’t spoken up or taken action around children being separated from their families at the border, nor has he done a thing to help the mothers who are being held in SeaTac near Seattle.
In his re-election campaign kickoff speech this year, Miloscia said, “I will fight for all children, for those most vulnerable, and for those who are in desperate need of our care.” So where are those words being put into action when it comes to immigrant kids and families? What is he doing to help the children separated from their parents at the border? How is he helping vulnerable people, immigrants, at their time of need?
About 200 immigrants in SeaTac federal detention have been separated from their children, and asylum-seeking immigrants are being held in King and Pierce counties. Many activists, faith leaders, and public officials have called for these families to be reunited with their children. Governor Inslee plans to join with nine other states to sue the Trump Administration over this cruel and inhumane policy.
But “pro-life” Sen. Miloscia is nowhere to be found. He’s silent about this anti-family travesty on Twitter and Facebook. He hasn’t issued a single formal statement about it as part of his re-election campaign, or in his role as a senator. Other Republicans in our state legislature have been noticeably silent, too. Why? Do some families count and some not?
As NARAL Pro-Choice America President Ilyse Hogue has said, “We’ve always known this is about control, not family. And their admission that they are now using children as a tool in their war against immigrants demolishes any last shred of moral credibility not only of Trump and his administration but of anyone who claims to be pro-life and has not denounced these actions.”
Those of us in the pro-choice movement are truly that — pro-choice, pro-family, pro-justice. We believe in the right of women to choose abortion care. And we believe in supporting women who choose to have babies with maternity care, family leave, and all the assistance they need to raise their children. This includes immigrant women, who are no less deserving of healthy, loving families than anyone else. And if an immigrant woman chooses abortion, the Trump Administration has no right to deny her that care, as they have gone to extreme lengths to do.
We believe all families—including immigrant families—should be loved, supported, and together. And we stand with the families at SeaTac and will fight for their reunification.
Tiffany Hankins is the executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice WA.