Martin O'Malley Criticizes 'Detention Camps' For Immigrant Families.

[elleng]

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley criticized the Obama administration -- albeit not by name -- on Friday for continuing to detain undocumented women and children.

"We should not be in the business of building barbed wire detention camps. Detentions are cruel, costly & against our values-esp for families," O'Malley, who is weighing a bid for the Democratic presidential nomination, tweeted.

O'Malley also tweeted the link to a New York Times editorial published Friday calling for an end to the "immoral" practice of detaining families in deportation proceedings. "Let's lead with our principles & end them," he added in a second tweet. . .

O'Malley was also critical of the administration's response to the border crisis last year, particularly efforts to quickly deport unaccompanied minors. He said last July that America should not send children back to countries where "they will face certain death."

O'Malley's stance on unaccompanied minors contrasted with a statement from Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, who said last June that the children should be sent back to their native countries after a review. O'Malley's campaign touted his stance on unaccompanied minors after Clinton gave a well-received remarks on immigration earlier this month.

Clinton's precise stance as a candidate on family detention isn't entirely clear. She addressed the issue somewhat during a roundtable in Las Vegas, Nevada, saying she wanted to reform the detention system and that she does not think "we should put children and vulnerable people into big detention facilities because I think they're at risk."

As to whether she believes family detention should be ended or limited, however, the campaign told HuffPost they would not elaborate.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/05/15/martin-omalley-family-immigration_n_7294084.html

[askew]

1. His positions on child refugees and not sending them home to die is why

I first started supporting him. Stands like this and his statement today against the death penalty are why I continue to support him. I think he has a real message talking about appealing to the best in America and how we should strive to be better. I think that is going to play well with young voters.

[elleng]

2. I agree.

I think he's very appealing in many ways. and 'young.'

[FSogol]

3. "America wasn't built on tax cuts." - this is a phrase O'Malley said in a speech

a few weeks ago and I think it will be featured in a lot of his speeches going forward. This concise statement shows the difference between us and the GOP.

[FSogol]

4. Great article, Ellen. Thanks for posting.

[elleng]

5. You're welcome, FSogol.

Should have noted I hijacked it from Koinos at GD, but HAD to post here; his deep humanity is SO MUCH a part of 'our' interest in him.