Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 19, 2014. This morning during the 10 am hour (ET), Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez spoke on the floor of the House of Representatives about unaccompanied minors from Central America entering the U.S. along the Texas border and the U.S. government effort to ensure their safety while they are being processed. The Congressman notes the urgency of the current crisis comes amidst the final six legislative days the Republicans have to address immigration reform before the July 4 recess – and therefore, for all intents and purposes, before the 113th Congress ends and before the 2016 presidential election.
In his speech he said:
“In Congress, we are quick to point fingers of blame – especially in an election year – but surely we must accept some of the responsibility ourselves. For decades, no realistic legal immigration options have existed for most people and this breeds a clandestine network of smugglers that feeds on desperation and hopelessness. Invading or propping up failing states on the other side of the world has meant we have paid little attention to the failing states in our own hemisphere.”
He concluded:
“With only six legislative days before the July 4th recess, Republican Leaders have almost no time left to demonstrate compassion and understanding of the immigration issue, enact real border security, allow legal immigration that feeds our economy, and get people who have lived here for decades on the books. Six days, Mr. Speaker, before this issue clobbers the Republican presidential nominee in 2016 at the polls. You may have waited too long to act, but that is – and always has been — up to you.”
The full text is below.
A video of his speech is here: http://youtu.be/FEvb4c-Ei6I
Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez represents the Fourth District of Illinois, is a Member of the Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, and is the Chairman of the Immigration Task Force of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
REMARKS
June 19, 2014
I usually come here to talk about the on-going crisis in American cities and towns related to our unrelenting deportation of moms and dads and longtime residents with no criminal history.
There is no doubt we will see substantial action to dial back the record deportations this country has suffered over the past 5 years and a retargeting of deportations at criminals.
The only question is whether the Republican majority gets its act together to participate in that process as legislators and leaders in the next six legislative days left before the July 4th recess.
Now, in addition to the deportation crisis, we face a new crisis quickly becoming a human tragedy of catastrophic proportions.
Thousands and thousands of young children – some in families but many alone – are fleeing Central America because they think it is their only option for survival.
Faced with death threats, sexual assault, poverty, and no legal immigration options, little boys and girls are simply leaving their Central American countries by the tens of thousands.
Some are coming to the U.S. to reunite with relatives, while many others are seeking asylum in any country they can get to, including this one.
Girls as young as 11 and 12 –threatened with rape in their own country — are risking rape, smugglers, murder and exploitation for the slim chance of a life in the United States.
Eighty percent are coming from just three countries – Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala –countries that top the list of the highest murder rates.
Guns, gangs, poverty and hopelessness are driving kids as young as kindergarteners to countries like Belize and Costa Rica, Mexico and the United States. This is a complex international crisis that does not have easy solutions.
The Obama Administration, Homeland Security and FEMA are mobilizing like they would for a major natural disaster.
They are trying to address each case – one by one – following the laws we have for unaccompanied minors, families and asylum seekers.
The first goal is to get the children and families in a safe place.
Eventually, some may pass the rigorous test for asylum. Others may be considered for legal status as victims of traffickers, but many have no legal avenue and had none to begin with.
And in many cases, children will face an immigration judge alone, without a lawyer and without a clue what is going on.
The majority get orders of removal and face deportation.
I have urged parents that the risks are too great, the danger too real, and the survival rate too low to attempt such a perilous journey.
But let’s be clear: Adults on all sides of the border are failing when children feel they have no way to survive other than risking their lives to cross thousands of miles.
I do not see the countries of Central America stepping up to take responsibility for the danger, dysfunction, death, and despair in their own cities and towns. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus told their embassies that in a very testy meeting yesterday.
Nor do I see the United States taking responsibility for the insatiable appetite for drugs on our streets that — in many cases — fuels the narcotrafficking, gangs, and desperation in Central America.
In Congress, we are quick to point fingers of blame – especially in an election year – but surely we must accept some of the responsibility ourselves.
For decades, no realistic legal immigration options have existed for most people and this breeds a clandestine network of smugglers that feeds on desperation and hopelessness.
Invading or propping up failing states on the other side of the world has meant we have paid little attention to the failing states in our own hemisphere.
Opponents of immigration mock the children on their radio shows and have even cooked up a new conspiracy theory that claims President Obama has been calling these children to our country so he can put more people on welfare and so these children who can never become citizens will somehow vote for him.
But we must not make light of this tragedy. These are children. Desperate boys and girls who are being demonized.
Opponents of immigration are exploiting their desperation for political sport.
But the stakes could not be higher for the Republican Party.
With only six legislative days before the July 4th recess, Republican Leaders have almost no time left to demonstrate compassion and understanding of the immigration issue, enact real border security, allow legal immigration that feeds our economy, and get people who have lived here for decades on the books.
Six days, Mr. Speaker, before this issue clobbers the Republican presidential nominee in 2016 at the polls.
You may have waited too long to act, but that is – and always has been — up to you.
Source: gutierrez.house.gov
