Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) announced Wednesday he will co-sponsor Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) family separation bill.
Cruz’s proposal would end the Trump administration policy that separates children from parents detained at the border.
In a statement, Young says “America can be a nation of laws while still being a nation of compassion.”
The Cruz bill goes beyond family separation. It would also require asylum cases to be heard within 14 days. Critics argue the short window will make it difficult for asylum seekers and their attorneys to effectively present a case.
The bill would double the number of immigration judges – a plan President Donald Trump recently called “horrible.”
The Texas lawmaker’s measure is broader than one presented by all 49 Democratic senators, including Indiana’s Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.). Their proposal simply ends the Trump administration policy.
President Trump signed an executive order Wednesday afternoon to keep families detained at the border together.