FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Suzanne Arnold, [email protected], (609) 610-4957 (M)

Washington, D.C. (February 22, 2020) – Following last week’s release of the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021 by the White House and congressional Democrats, Santiago Mueckay, Manager of Federal Government Relations, issued the following statement on behalf of Save the Children Action Network (SCAN):

Save the Children Action Network applauds President Biden, as well as Senator Menendez and Representative Sanchez, for introducing the U.S. Citizenship Act of 2021. This bill contains a variety of child-specific provisions that are an important first step in better protecting the thousands of children at our southern border by addressing the root causes of unsafe migration, improving standards of care in government custody, providing legal representation, granting access to asylum and defining best interest determinations.

 We sincerely commend the Biden administration and Congressional allies for taking SCAN’s recommendations and concerns into account when drafting this legislation. While issues relating to immigration can often be polarizing, the Biden administration has acted admirably in prioritizing children – no matter where they are from – and taking yet another step towards restoring America as a safe harbor for the vulnerable.

SCAN – together with its 375,000 advocates nationwide – looks forward to continuing to work with the Biden administration and congress to ensure these child-specific provisions become a reality so that children, no matter where they are from, are protected and given the opportunity to thrive.