OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) -- — The current U.S. Congressman representing the Omaha metro and two people looking to represent the district weigh in on the story of a 2-year-old girl living in Omaha who may be deported.
Read more: Only On 3: 2-Year-Old facing deportation in Omaha
The young girl was separated from her father at the border in May. He was detained for re-entry of a removed alien.
The child, only 1-year-old at the time, was moved to New York State for months and recently allowed to live with her uncle here in Omaha while she goes through deportation procedures in immigration court.
Her attorney says she doesn't understand what's going on and is only starting to learn how to speak.
“This is certainly an emotional and stressful situation for anyone; especially a two-year-old. We’re glad the child was able to be united with family members while her attorney works though the legal system. Unfortunately, too many children like this suffer the consequences of decisions made by parents, and in this case by a father who has been caught violating the law for a second time. It is my hope that the extended family may be given custody, but I trust our legal system to enforce the law and take the most appropriate actions for the child involved,” U.S. Representative Don Bacon explained.
Ann Ashford, who will run as a Democrat for the District 2 Congressional seat, feels anger and sadness that we've gotten to this point with children and says we need sensible immigration reform but must keep families seeking refuge together.
"We need to stop separating families at the border. the fact that she was sent to another state with no connection first that's unacceptable. We need to stop separating those families at the border and we need to find a way to house them as they're going through the process," Ashford described.
Kara Eastman was defeated by Rep. Bacon in 2018. She was recently at the border watching immigration hearings, and says deportees keep coming back because of how awful their countries are and they don't know border policies have changed.
She feels Rep. Bacon is blaming the father and promoting hate towards immigrants instead of helping figure out a solution.
“I know that District 2 voters are worried about our immigration and the way that we're moving in the wrong direction when it comes to inhumane policies, but I also know that people want secure borders. And they want us to have a system that works for everybody, but there's not one voter in this district that is telling me that this is a good practice, or they would agree with something so despicable,” Eastman concluded.
