Sanders, O'Malley rip report on deportation plan.
Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley on Thursday blasted a report that said the Department of Homeland Security is planning raids that would target for deportation families of undocumented immigrants from Central American countries.
The Washington Post reported late Wednesday that the nationwide raids will focus on hundreds of families that have entered the U.S. since early last year. The plan is the first large-scale effort to deport families that have fled violence in Central America, the Post reported.
Sanders said in a statement he was "disappointed" by the plan.
"As we spend time with our families this holiday season, we who are parents should ask ourselves what we would do if our children faced the danger and violence these children do? How far would we go to protect them?" he said. "We need to take steps to protect children and families seeking refuge here, not cast them out."
O'Malley, who is running well behind Sanders and Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton, said the plan is "completely at odds with our character as a nation."
"The world is watching, and it is up to us to decide whether we want to live up to our values, or whether we are ready to shrug them off and turn our backs on those most in need," O'Malley said.
The former Maryland governor also fired off a series of tweets, hitting his favorite target on the campaign trail, Donald Trump, the Republican front-runner who has called for the deportation of the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the U.S.
"A Christmas Refugee Roundup sounds like something @realDonaldTrump would concoct. Remember: Jesus was a refugee child who fled death gangs," O'Malley said.
Later Thursday, Xochitl Hinojosa, a spokeswoman for Clinton's campaign, said the former secretary of state has "real concerns about these reports."
"She believes it is critical that everyone has a full and fair hearing, and that our country provides refuge to those that need it," Hinojosa told CNN in a statement. "And we should be guided by a spirit of humanity and generosity as we approach these issues."
http://www.wyff4.com/politics/sanders-omalley-rip-report-on-deportation-plan/37121062
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