Jennifer Lopez Denounces Policy of Detaining Immigrant Children: 'It's All in Our Hands'

"Proud Latino" Jennifer Lopez becomes the latest in a long line of celebrities to speak out against the Trump administration policy of separating children from their families at the border.

Jennifer Lopez has become the latest high-profile celebrity to use her large platform to bring attention to the growing plight of the migrant children being separated from their families at the U.S. border as a result of a Trump administration policy. The policy has so far detained more than 2,000 children, many of whom were seeking asylum from dangerous situations in Central America. 

Lopez, a self-described “proud Bronx born Puerto Rico American,” appealed to her own young children to highlight the extent of the “atrocities” going on at the southern border of the country. “[Latinos] and the people of all races, roots, and culture have enriched this country,” Lopez wrote on Twitter. “The recent rhetoric and constant dismissal of what we bring to the table has to stop.” She concluded that "we first need to admit we have a problem before we can heal it." She urged everyone to get involved, get informed, and call their congressperson to demand action. 

I feel we will never forget this moment in time. Bearing witness to these atrocities and that’s what they are, I can say for sure, remaining silent is not an option. As a Latino, and as you know very well, a proud Bronx born Puerto Rican American,

have concern for the lack of transparency about this disastrous display,  in full view to the world in general, I encourage you first to get caught up on the situation. Next, call your congressperson and demand an answer

ITS ALL IN OUR HANDS. Supporting one another in these troubled times, we can remain on the right side of history: the side where children are safe and in their parents arms. Act now, call now, speak now, LOVE now.  #familiesbelongtogether #lovenothate

On Thursday, Nicki Minaj joined the chorus of celebrities denouncing the policy by recalling her own experience as an illegal immigrant coming to this country at 5 years old. “I can’t imagine the horror of being in a strange place and having my parents stripped away from me at the age of 5,” she wrote on Instagram. 

The policy has been denounced by UN Human Rights Council top official, Prince Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, who said that “the thought that any state would seek to deter parents by inflicting such abuse on children is unconscionable.” As a result, the U.S. took the shocking move to pull out of the UN Human Rights Council, citing “hypocrisy” within the group. 

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