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'Highlights' magazine CEO calls for 'human decency,' condemns separation of migrant families

Highlights for Children CEO Kent Johnson has released a statement denouncing the separation of immigrant families.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — "Highlights for Children," a children's magazine, has released a statement through its CEO denouncing the separation of immigrant families.

The statement was posted on the publication's Twitter page Tuesday.

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"As a company that helps children become their best selves -- curious, creative, caring and confident -- we want kids to understand the importance of having moral courage," "Highlights" CEO Kent Johnson wrote. "Moral courage means standing up for what we believe is right, honest and ethical -- even when it's hard."

"Our company’s core belief, stated each month in 'Highlights' magazine, is that ‘Children are the world’s most important people.’ This is a belief about ALL children.

"This is a plea for recognition that these are not simply the children of strangers for whom others are accountable. This is an appeal to elevate the inalienable right of all children to feel safe and to have the opportunity to become their best selves.”

Although the statement comes after a graphic photo showing the bodies of father and daughter who died trying to cross the U.S.-Mexico border circulated online, Johnson said the letter is not a political statement on immigration policy.

"This is a statement about human decency, plain and simple," he wrote. "This is a plea for recognition that these are not simply the children of strangers for whom others are accountable. This is an appeal to elevate the inalienable right of all children to feel safe and to have the opportunity to become their best selves.

"We invite you -- regardless of your political leanings -- to join us in speaking out agant gamily separation and call for more humane treatment of immigrant children currently being held in detention facilities."

Johnson also urged parents to contact their legislators to hold those in power accountable for separating families

Read the full statement below.