Houston leaders sound off on Trump administration "zero tolerance" immigration policy
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- As the debate surrounding President Trump's "zero tolerance" immigration policy continues, local leaders are speaking out.
The policy includes separating immigrant children from their parents after making an illegal entry into the U.S.
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo called the immigration policy "un-Godly."
"American values? Conservative values? Progressive values? Judeo-Christian values? Family values? History and God will be unkind to those who are silent or support this oppressive, inhumane, un-Godly policy," he tweeted. "God is watching us, we can't hide from him. WWJD?"
According to the Associated Press, nearly 2,000 children have been taken from their parents since Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the policy, which directs Homeland Security officials to refer all cases of illegal entry into the United States for prosecution.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also commented on the policy.
"Separating families who arrive at our border harms children and is an affront to American values," he tweeted. "Children should not be in immigration detention, period."
The comments from top law enforcement officials come a day after Mayor Sylvester Turner voiced his displeasure at the possibility of a detention center in Houston.
"I don't want in the city of Houston for us to participate in a policy that I think is morally bankrupt," Turner told ABC13. "This is not about party, not about Democrat or Republican, nothing about that. It's about valuing children. I said when people were shooting kids, this is where I draw the line and we'll throw every possible resource to keep that from happening. When it comes to separating children from their families, I can't support it."
