CCUSA releases statement on termination of the Flores Settlement Agreement

Migrants and Refugees

August 22, 2019

Alexandria, Va. – The announcement that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will terminate the Flores Settlement Agreement is extraordinarily troubling. We are gravely concerned about the families, and particularly the children, who will face indeterminable amounts of time in detention and the emotional and psychological effects this will impose on them for the rest of their lives. Catholic Charities USA is prepared to review the final rule in its entirety once published on Friday, August 23rd, but any rule that systematically and indefinitely detains families is fundamentally unacceptable.

Catholic Charities agencies remain on the front lines of providing humanitarian aid, social services and legal assistance to these immigrant families. We implore the Administration and Congress to address the root causes of migration rather than focusing solely on enforcement measures. Read our full comments on the proposed rule.