With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
Information sharing raises red flag for immigrant advocates
People display signs at the Tornillo Port of Entry near El Paso, Texas, June 21, 2018, during a protest rally against the U.S. administration's now rescinded family separation policy.
(
BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images
)
Advocates are sounding the alarm about an agreement that calls for the agency charged with sheltering migrant children separated from their parents to give immigration officials details about any relative who might care for the children while their parents are detained.
The federal Office of Refugee Resettlement will provide immigration officials with the name, birth date, fingerprints and other information on the child’s sponsor. Immigrant advocates say they’re afraid the policy could discourage relatives not authorized to be in the country from taking in the children.
“What we fear is that this new agreement will make it less likely that families will feel safe in coming forward to the Office of Refugee Resettlement to claim children that are in their custody,” said attorney Lindsay Toczylowski, who works with the separated families.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
