Downing Street defends UK’s ‘humane’ immigration system in swipe at US child refugee policy
2 min read
Downing Street has defended the UK’s "humane" approach to immigration in a swipe at America's new child detention centres.
Donald Trump has come under fire after it emerged that young immigrants are being separated from their parents and detained in warehouses on the US's southern border.
Responding to the news, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: "We do not separate child asylum seekers or refugees from their families. We believe that we have a humane system.
“Our own position is guided by the refugee convention and the European Convention on human rights. That is what we adhere to, but obviously I can’t speak for other countries.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn took a stronger line, describing the scenes on the US border as “shocking” and “immoral”.
He said: “It is tragic and shocking to see innocent children caged like animals and to hear their cries of anguish after being forcibly separated from their parents.
“It is immoral and goes against fundamental human rights we must always respect, no matter the situation.”
Chair of the Home Affairs Committee, Yvette Cooper, called on Theresa May to urgently confront the US President over the issue.
She told HuffPost UK: “Separating children from their parents is cruel and inhumane and the idea that a major ally is putting children and teenagers in cages is utterly horrifying.
“The Prime Minister needs to urge President Trump in the strongest possible terms to end this abhorrent and dehumanising treatment.”
The White House yesterday defended the policy, with US Homeland Security Secretary, Kirstjen Nielsen telling reporters that America was a country of “compassion” and “heart”.
Asked why children were being separated from their families, she replied: “This administration did not create a policy of separating families at the border...
“Parents who entered illegally are by definition criminals... By entering our country illegally often in dangerous circumstances, illegal immigrants have put their children at risk.”
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