On Tuesday, McLennan County pastors and community members rallied against the zero-tolerance policy, which aims to crack down on illegal immigration.
The policy President Donald Trump announced last month states, anyone who crosses the border illegally will be prosecuted. Parents are held in federal prisons while their children are held in other facilities.
During the peaceful event held at Heritage Square, speakers spoke out about the cruelty behind separating families and children.
Valley Mills First United Methodist Church Pastor Jaime McGlothlin said she decided to voice her opposition after watching images of children in shelters.
"I could sit no more. I decided it was time to stand and do something," McGlothlin said.
Waco Immigrants Alliance Leader Maria Delgado also expressed her thoughts with an emotional speech.
"Demanding dignity and freedom for children is not an option, it's a human right," Delgado said.
She added she hopes both Republicans and Democrats can work together to change the status quo.
"As a mother and grandmother, it really breaks my heart. With the turnout as you can see, we are more humane than that. I couldn't imagine my children taken away from me," Delgado said.
After the event, pastors hand-delivered a letter to U.S. Rep. Bill Flores' office in Waco, asking for the U.S. Department of Justice to end the separation of families.
U.S. Rep. Bill Flores said President Donald Trump is correct to enforce the law.
“Like all crimes, the act of crossing the border illegally should not be tolerated. That said, I am working with my fellow colleagues in Congress to address the failures of our immigration system in a way that allows families to stay together while awaiting adjudication of their case," Rep. Flores said.
McLennan County Republican Party Chairman Jon Ker said he supports following the law. He added he is in favor of both parties working together to address the situation.
"I think most sensible people would say, we don't want to see children in that situation. We got to apply where there is the problem. People coming to the U.S. illegally knowing that is going to be the result," Ker said.
Rep. Flores added the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on two bills to strengthen border security, end chain immigration and provide lawful status to some undocumented immigrants brought by their parents at a young age.
Source: Jaime McGlothlin, pastor of Valley Mills First United Methodist Church
Copyright 2018 KXXV. All rights reserved.
