More than a dozen members of Congress have visited border facilities in Texas to investigate the living conditions of migrants in detention centers.
Ali Noorani, executive director of the National Immigration Forum, spoke with Boston Public Radio on Wednesday to describe his analysis of the situation at the border.
"This is a precarious situation. It's a humanitarian crisis of growing proportions," Noorani said. "It's certainly a moral decision or an immoral decision by the Trump administration treating human beings in this way, there's no doubt about that."
Noorani described a report that revealed an online community of past and former border agents sharing vile dialogue aimed at migrants and lawmakers.
"The group was some 9,500 people strong. For groups to be that large, and circulating that kind of disgusting information and dialogue, really calls into question the morality of CBP and DHS, and to a large degree the way the administration from the top is treating immigrants who are coming to the U.S. to seek safety," he said. "The Facebook group is a pretty clear indication that in spite of what I hope to be a professional force overall, there needs to be a significant change of culture within the agency."
Noorani commented on the claims that the Trump administration is purposefully releasing photos from detention centers as a way of deterring other migrants. He emphasized that the administration's actions come with worldwide consequences, regardless of its motives.
"The administration can continue to enforce our way out of this challenge, but the fact is that is failing and it's tarnishing our reputation in the world."
