Local politicians and political groups are weighing in on the children being separated from parents by immigration officials in the United States. Local activists affiliated with the MoveOn.org group have a rally at 11 a.m. Sat., June 30 in the Public Square in Hudson, at the corner of Warren St. and 7th St. That's the same day that many other protests will happen around the country, with the largest in Washington D.C. The Mid-Hudson News reports that the Dutchess Commission on Human Rights have condemned the separation of children from their parents, saying, "governmental intervention that breaches this relationship (between parent and child) without adjudication, for anyone, but especially asylum seekers and others escaping brutal economic, social, and political conditions, is not only unwarranted, but cruel." Dutchess Human Rights Commissioner Jodi Miller said, "For all the concerns about big government and costs effectiveness, this is a moral abomination; this not what we are about as a country.” New York's senators also weighed in on the issue, with Kirsten Gillibrand tweeting on June 19, "The Department of Homeland Security is tearing young children away from their parents. It is abhorrent. It is immoral. And the administration could stop this today. But since they won’t, Congress needs to step up." Chuck Schumer tweeted on June 18, "As everyone who has looked at this agrees, this was done by the president, not Democrats. He can fix it tomorrow if he wants to, and if he doesn’t want to, he should own up to the fact that he’s doing it." Rep. Paul Tonko, a Democrat who represents all of Albany County, and parts of Rensselaer County, tweeted June 19, "I am cosponsoring the Keep Families Together Act, a bill that would prohibit DHS from separating children from their parents except in extraordinary cases, allow parents to reunite with their kids if separated, and shine a light on any future abuses under this Trump Admin policy." Gov. Andrew Cuomo released a statement saying he wouldn't send New York National Guard troops to the border, although asked to clarify, his office says they were never asked to send troops to the border. Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) has not released any public statement on the issue, but on Father's Day he tweeted, "Being a father is my proudest role. I have always cherished being a father for my children, Nicholas and Margaret. Happy Father’s Day to each and every dad in Upstate New York."

Being a father is my proudest role. I have always cherished being a father for my children, Nicholas and Margaret. Happy Father’s Day to each and every dad in Upstate New York. pic.twitter.com/xxWcHA43WF

— John Faso (@RepJohnFaso) June 17, 2018