ICEP Opposes Practice of Family Separation

The Illinois College of Emergency Physician (ICEP) echoes the position of our parent organization, the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), in opposing the current Department of Homeland Security (DHS) practices surrounding separation of migrant children and parents when detained at border crossings in the southern United States.

ICEP President Janet Lin, MD, MPH, FACEP, released the following statement:

“ICEP stands with ACEP and other professional medical organizations to oppose the practice of separating migrant children from parents suspected of entering the U.S. unlawfully.

“As emergency physicians, we cannot overstate the significant effects of trauma to both the children and their parents because of this practice. The mental and physical health of these already vulnerable infants and children will further deteriorate when they are separated from their families, causing lasting damage.

“The well-being of the children should be the guiding principle in determining more appropriate policy for immigrant families, to minimize health risks to all. We join our colleagues nationally and internationally to call on the federal government to implement immediate change.”