Underwood Pushes Back as DHS Reportedly Considers Family Detention

WASHINGTON – In a House Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee hearing, Representative Lauren Underwood (IL-14) urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) against reinstating family detention of migrants. Underwood’s comments follow recent reporting that the Administration is considering restarting the policy. 

“Family detention is not only immoral; it is expensive, bad policy that makes our country less safe,” said Underwood. “Reinstating this policy would be unacceptable, and this Administration must do better. I am committed to partnering with DHS to help build an immigration system that supports our economy, protects our communities, and upholds our values.” 

Full video of Underwood’s remarks can be found here. 

The American Academy of Pediatrics finds that there is no evidence that any amount of time in detention is safe for children. Even short periods of detention can cause irreversible trauma, long-term behavioral health impacts, and chronic medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Furthermore, experts have found that family detention does not meaningfully deter migrants from coming to the U.S. In the hearing, Underwood highlighted more effective policies with demonstrated records of success, such as Alternatives to Detention (ATD). 

Earlier this week, Underwood joined a letter with more than 100 House Democratic members urging the Administration against family detention. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) led 18 Senate colleagues in a similar letter to the Administration opposing the policy and calling for the use of ATD. 

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