Donald Trump

Mothers Separated From Their Children at the Border Sue Trump Admin Over ‘Clear Abuse'

This is one of the first cases seeking compensatory damages from the government for its intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence, said Trina Realmuto, directing attorney at the American Immigration Council

After living without her mother for two months while in immigration custody last year, an eight-year-old girl from Guatemala can barely sleep at night unless her mother holds her tight. Another Guatemalan girl has recurring nightmares and often screams out for protection from people who might again separate her from her mother. The girl, 6, was taken away from her mother for four months.

The mothers of these girls are among five women who were separated from their children after they crossed the border into the United States to seek asylum and who have now filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, NBC News reports.

Roughly 3,000 migrant children were separated from their parents or legal guardians under President Donald Trump's so-called "zero tolerance policy," according to data from the Department of Health and Human Services obtained by the American Immigration Council.

This is one of the first cases seeking compensatory damages from the government for its intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence, Trina Realmuto, directing attorney at the American Immigration Council, who is representing the mothers in the lawsuit, told NBC News.

Immigration authorities told NBC News they don't comment on pending litigation.

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