(East Harlem, NY) - After a visit to an East Harlem foster care facility, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that 239 children at the site were separated from their parents at the US-Mexico border and relocated to New York City. The families were separated as a result of a two-month old Federal policy.

"As a longtime advocate for immigrant rights, I am outraged by the separation of families that has taken place at the U.S. border. This cruel and misguided policy does not make our communities safer. It undermines American values, causes unnecessary trauma to thousands of children and, locally, breeds distrust between the immigrant community and law enforcement. The 239 children being held in East Harlem will feel the emotional effects of this experience well into adulthood. I am committed to working with my colleagues in all levels of government to ensure that all of the affected children are reunited with their families as soon as possible."