The National League for Nursing Responds to the Separation of Families at US Borders

June 19, 2018

For Immediate Release

Contact: Khalilah Long
202-909-2544; klong@nln.org

The National League for Nursing Responds to the Separation of Families at US Borders

The League Calls on US Government to Immediately
End Family Separation

Washington, DC, June 19, 2018 — National League for Nursing (NLN) joins other nursing organizations in a joint statement urging the United States government to end the policy of separating immigrant families at US boarders. The mission of the NLN is to promote excellence in nursing education to build a stronger and more diverse nursing workforce to advance the health of our nation and the global community. This Department of Homeland Security policy does not advance the health of our nation nor the global community's wellbeing.

We stand together with our nursing colleagues urging the Administration to protect the health and wellness of all children — including immigrant children. We stand with our colleagues urging the Administration to reverse this policy.

Below is the full statement signed by approximately 30 other nursing organizations.

The Honorable Kirstjen J. Nielsen
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 205252

Dear Secretary Nielsen,

On behalf of the 33 undersigned national nursing organizations, representing the cross section of nursing education, research, and practice, we implore the Department of Homeland Security and the overall Administration to protect the health and wellness of immigrant children.

As a profession, we are committed to the patient, the family, the community, and the populations our members serve. At the core of our education is holistic care that encompasses the physical and mental wellbeing of all — at any age and in any location. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is well documented that when immigrant children are detained and separated from their parents, they can develop toxic stress, which can adversely impact their development. Nurses are empowered to protect the most vulnerable populations. Children of immigrant families are the embodiment of those our profession has committed to protect through compassionate and evidence-based care.

Our profession requests immediate action be taken to protect the health of immigrant children and reverse the current policy. Their young minds, their health, and their ability to thrive in the future is of utmost importance. If our organizations can be of any assistance, please contact Dr. Suzanne Miyamoto, at smiyamoto@aacnnursing.org, or at 202-463-6930.

Sincerely,

American Academy of Nursing
American Association of Colleges of Nursing
American Association of Nurse Practitioners
American College of Nurse-Midwives
American Nephrology Nurses Association
American Nurses Association
American Organization of Nurse Executives
American Psychiatric Nurses Association
American Society for Pain Management Nursing
Association of Community Health Nursing Educators Association of Nurses in AIDS Care
Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
Association of Public Health Nurses
Association of Veterans Affairs Nurse Anesthetists Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses Dermatology Nurses' Association
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association International Association of Forensic Nurses
International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists
National Association of Hispanic Nurses
National Association of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners National Association of Neonatal Nurses
National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women's Health National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Association of School Nurses
National Black Nurses Association
National Council of State Boards of Nursing
National Forum of State Nursing Workforce Centers
National League for Nursing
National Nurse-Led Care Consortium
Oncology Nursing Society
Organization for Associate Degree Nursing

CC:
The Honorable Alex Azar

About the National League for Nursing
Dedicated to excellence in nursing, the National League for Nursing is the premier organization for nurse faculty and leaders in nursing education. The NLN offers faculty development, networking opportunities, testing services, nursing research grants, and public policy initiatives to its more than 40,000 individual and more than 1,200 institutional members, comprising nursing education programs across the spectrum of higher education and health care organizations. Events | News Release Archive | NLN Press | NLN Vision Series (Position Statements)

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