DHS/ICE-007 Criminal History and Immigration Verification (CHIVe)

As a pediatrician and a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I urge members of Congress to prevent exacerbation of childhood trauma and oppose the separation of children and parents at the border. More specifically, the Trump administration's recent proposal to change the policy and process as established in Section 462 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is an alarming attempt to circumvent the law. This policy change endangers the health and well-being of children through unethical means. Studies overwhelmingly demonstrate the irreparable harm to children caused by separation from their parents. As children develop, their brains change in response to environments and experiences. Highly stressful experiences can disrupt the building of children's brain architecture. Prolonged exposure to serious stress - known as toxic stress - can harm the developing brain and harm short- and long-term health. A parent or caregiver's role is to mitigate stress. Family separation robs children of that buffer, which can lead to toxic stress, impair brain development and learning and contribute to chronic conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and heart disease. Every effort needs to be made to place children who have been seperated from their parents at the border, or other unaccompanied minors, with family members or adults who are committed to caring for their welfare. Shifting the management of the background check process for such caregivers away from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will severely undermine the process of placing these children in the best possible circumstances. This policy change presents a clear conflict of interest and the should be opposed. As a pediatrician, I urge members of Congress to support the current hearings and legislation to #KeepFamiliesTogether. Thank you for everything you do for children.