Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics Opposes Family Separation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MIAAP) today detailed its opposition to the policy of immigrant child detention and family separation.

“The Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics encourages our U.S. legislators from Michigan, in the strongest possible terms, to do everything possible to immediately cease  the current practice of separating immigrant children from their parents,” said MIAAP President Dr. Teresa Holtrop. 

Separating children from their parents creates highly stressful situations, known as toxic stress. Studies have shown that toxic stress disrupts brain development and increases the likelihood of chronic conditions as children develop. 

“Separating children from trusted adults is extremely traumatizing and has lifelong negative medical and mental health consequences. These actions are nothing short of federally sanctioned child abuse,” said MIAAP President-Elect Dr. Sharon Swindell. “The MIAAP supports the national American Academy of Pediatrics position against the separation of children from their families.  As a country that prides itself on having moral obligations, we feel that the current federal policy is untenable.” 

The MIAAP wants all children to have a healthy, productive childhood. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice have failed the overall health and wellbeing of children with their recent actions.