Texas House Speaker Joe Straus is the latest to urge President Trump to sign an executive order to immediately stop separating children from their illegal immigrant parents at the border, News Radio 1200 WOAI reports.
In the letter, written today, Straus says while millions of people around the country are shocked and disturbed by the practice, it is especially concerning in Texas.
"Thousands of children are being housed in our state, and in facilities our state agencies license," Straus wrote. "In fact, many of these facilities in recent weeks have requested variances to exceed their licensed capacities."
Straus says he realizes that his Administration did not start this policy, but says the new 'zero tolerance' policy set out by Attorney General Sessions and emphasized by Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen is making the problem a lot worse.
"Numerous studies have noticed the long term effects of forced separation of children from their parents, including poor health outcomes, anxiety, delayed development and mental illness."
Straus says the country has to realize the difference between a terrorist and a person who is seeking permission to enter the U.S. and apply for asylum.
He says children should never be punished for the actions of their parents
.Straus joins both Texas U.S. Senators, Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, in urging the President to moderate his 'zero tolerance' stance and end the forced separation of children from their families.