The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) was reportedly in negotiations to make payments of around $450,000 to illegal immigrants who were separated from their families during the Trump administration, but now says payments will likely be much lower.
Last month, The Wall Street Journal reported that various U.S. departments were considering awarding payments of $450,000 per person to immigrant families that were separated at the U.S.-Mexico Border under the Trump administration to resolve lawsuits that contend that the separations caused psychological trauma.
However, DOJ recently communicated that those figures are too high, but did not say what final figures could be, according to CNN.
"DOJ communicated Wednesday night that the numbers reported in the press are higher than anywhere that settlement can land. The parties continue to negotiate," American Civil Liberties Union Executive Director Anthony D. Romero told CNN.
In an interview with FOX News, White House advisor Cedric Richmond said that the DOJ will decide how to right the wrong of separating families at the border and determine the appropriate dollar amount to give those families.
In 2019, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a class action lawsuit seeking damages for families impacted by forced separations, CNN reported. Private attorneys representing families have also filed claims."
"The Biden administration is correct to provide relief to the children and families affected by the government's horrific practice of family separation," ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said, according to CNN. "Their suffering is something they will always live with, and it is a deep moral stain on our country. We need to make it right, and this includes not simply any monetary support, but also a path to remain here. This is what is right and fair."
Chron reports that President Joe Biden himself has said that the $450,000 payments "would not happen" and that some Democrats denied that the Justice Department is working on making payments, but Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted that it was indeed true and that Biden should “gift” every illegal immigrant a Hunter Biden painting since they “sell’ for around $500,000 each.
Under the Trump administration's "zero-tolerance" immigration policy, more than 3,000 children were separated from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
