SCAN CEO Speaks Out Against Senate Bill To Be Introduced Tomorrow

‘Proposed Legislation is a Grave Violation of Children’s Rights’

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 14, 2019) – Save the Children Action Network (SCAN) CEO Mark Shriver tonight expressed his strong opposition to proposed legislation from Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) that calls for children who arrive at the southern border to be held in federal custody for up to 100 days. Such an increase would overturn the current 20-day legal maximum and would have severe negative impacts on the well-being of children, including long-term damage to social and emotional development and increased risk of exploitation and abuse.

“Prolonging the detention of young children and ignoring their legal rights is not a constructive deterrent for combatting the migrant crisis at our border and is not a solution befitting our great nation. This legislation is a grave violation of children’s rights,” said Shriver, who also serves as Senior Vice President of Save the Children’s U.S. Programs & Advocacy. “Children are innocent victims at the border and our government has a responsibility to treat them humanely and with dignity. Any legislation seeking to keep kids detained for 100 days is deeply disappointing and Congress could instead enhance our security by exploring solutions to the root causes of this crisis in Central America.”

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. Since our founding more than 100 years ago, we’ve changed the lives of more than 1 billion children. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.