SPA Members:

As you are no doubt aware there is an ongoing, very vigorous and often acrimonious debate around the issue of immigration and most importantly the separation of children from their parents.

The Society, as a professional organization devoted to the health and welfare of children in the perioperative setting, takes no position on the federal policies or legislation addressing legal or illegal immigration.

Regardless of the diversity of opinion regarding immigration, as professionals devoted to the care of children, we understand the lasting emotional harm that may result when children and parents are forcibly separated regardless of the reason.

The Society joins the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and many other professional societies in strongly condemning the policy of forcibly separating children from their parents.  The Society further urges that those children who were previously separated be rapidly reunified with their parents in a setting that ensures their emotional and physical safety.

The Society and its members cannot support policies that jeopardize the health and welfare of the children about whom we care so passionately.

Randall Flick, MD, MPH, FAAP
President, Society for Pediatric Anesthesia