Democrat Hillary Clinton on Monday called on the Obama administration to stop raids at homes of Central American immigrant families and provide attorneys for all children who arrived at the U.S.-Mexico border without parents.
Clinton had been facing criticism from her Democratic primary rivals Bernie Sanders and Martin O'Malley for not taking a tough stand against the raids that the administration began New Year's weekend and have led to the arrest of at least 121 individuals.
She issued the call Monday night to coincide with her appearance at Iowa's "Brown & Black Forum." The forum, which began in 1984, allowed for each Democratic candidate to separately address minority communities and respond to questions from journalists and the audience. A Republican version was to be held but was canceled.
The immigration raids Clinton criticized have targeted families that arrived in the U.S. since may 2014, when the country saw tens of thousands of Central American immigrants arrive at the border seeking refuge from violence and economic conditions in their country.
