AACTE Statement on Child Separation Policy

(June 22, 2018, Washington, D.C.) – Today Lynn M. Gangone, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), and the AACTE Board of Directors issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order ending the immigration policy of separating children from families:

“Detaining children without their parents in prison-like environments is harmful to their mental, emotional and physical health and well-being, and will be a detriment to their ability to thrive and perform at high levels in the classroom. While we understand that immigration policy is complex and often fraught with challenges, it is our duty to care for and protect children, regardless of their national origin. The executive order issued is prospective and accordingly does nothing to reunite already-separated children with their parents; it is only a temporary fix for a flawed policy.

AACTE’s nearly 800 member schools and colleges of education prepare profession-ready teachers to educate all children. Future teachers learn trauma-informed instruction to support students in local classrooms, yet the long-lasting damages these children face as a result of their separation from their parents will require expanded services from health and mental health professionals to effectively meet their learning needs.

AACTE strongly urges Congress and the President to promptly reunite the separated children with their parents and to pass humane immigration legislation that takes into account the short- and long-term educational, emotional and physical needs of these children.”

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About AACTE: The Leading Voice on Educator Preparation

The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education is a national alliance of educator preparation programs dedicated to high-quality, evidence-based preparation that assures educators are profession-ready as they enter the classroom. The 800 member institutions include public and private colleges and universities in every state, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands and Guam. Through advocacy and capacity building, AACTE promotes innovation and effective practices that strengthen educator preparation. Learn more at www.aacte.org.