Here's how Louisiana Republicans in D.C. feel about immigration crackdown, splitting up families

Louisiana Republicans in Congress largely stand behind President Donald Trump’s “zero-tolerance” immigration enforcement policy, even as a growing chorus of critics attack the White House’s prosecution decisions that have led to the separation of thousands of migrant families along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Most of the Louisiana Republicans contacted Monday expressed regret over splitting up immigrant families — a move triggered by the Trump administration’s decision to criminally charge in federal courts all asylum-seeking adult parents caught entering the country illegally — but the delegation largely backed the president’s crackdown on illegal immigration at the border.

Rep. Ralph Abraham, R-Alto, said families shouldn’t be separated — “including American families who have been torn apart by violent crimes perpetrated by illegal immigrants.

“If a family illegally enters this country together, they should be deported together; but providing tough border security measures — like a wall — will discourage people from facing the consequences of breaking our laws,” said Abraham, adding that he hopes Congress this week will pass legislation to strengthen border protections and end some legal immigration programs, such as scaling back or ending the family reunification immigration program. 

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