“It’s hard to believe it’s possible, but it appears from today’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General’s report that the Trump administration’s cruel treatment of asylum-seeking families has been even worse – in fact, much worse – than previously reported. Today’s report confirms our biggest fears, that the family separation crisis is much greater than the administration has been willing to admit, which means even more children are at risk for the grave and lasting harm that comes with being separated from parents who love them.

“What the Trump administration has done to thousands of children and their parents who came to this country to seek a better life is scandalous and truly unforgivable. And instead of admitting to the extent of this shameful practice, the administration had evaded and lied to hide its heartless actions.

“There is no excuse to separate even a single child from a loving parent or family member. Doing so endangers the child’s mental health and can have harmful consequences that last for years. President Trump hasn’t only been hate-mongering; his administration has been putting vulnerable children and families at risk while trampling on their fundamental human rights.

“The moms of America will not stand for this. We don’t buy the President’s lies, we don’t want his wall, and we absolutely won’t stand for the abuse of children. We demand that every asylum-seeking family be treated with dignity, compassion and respect. We are looking to every member of Congress from both parties to stand up to the President by demanding that all families be reunified – and that he re-open the federal government now.”