Rep. Roybal-Allard Joins Refugee Children and Families to Discuss Raids, Detention, and Conditions in Central America

Press Release

Today, Representatives Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA-40), Luis V. Gutiérrez (IL-04), and Zoe Lofgren (CA-19) joined children and parents from Honduras and El Salvador for a Capitol Hill press conference about raids, refugees, detention, and asylum issues. The group of children and parents traveled to Washington from Waukegan, IL, where they have settled since their arrival from Central America. They spoke about their experiences fleeing violence in Central America.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard has been deeply concerned about the Central American women and children who may qualify for asylum but have difficulty navigating the American legal system. In February, she joined Representatives Lofgren and Gutiérrez in introducing the Fair Day in Court for Kids Act, to protect children and other vulnerable groups in immigration proceedings by ensuring access to counsel, legal orientation programs, and case management services. The bill ensures due process and offers an alternative to ICE raids that risk sending individuals to dangerous countries where they face threats of violence, abuse, or even death.

Congresswoman Roybal-Allard's statement from the press conference is below.

"Thank you, Representative Gutiérrez, for your leadership on this humanitarian issue that impacts greatly our communities and our global region.

"To the many of you who are here from Illinois, I cannot stress enough how well you are represented by Congressman Gutiérrez and Congresswoman Schakowsky. They are unstoppable voices that advocate for policies that reflect compassion and respect for those in need.

"Another of our champions is Representative Zoe Lofgren, who has led the fight for thoughtful and humane alternatives to DHS's removal operations which have inflicted so much fear and anxiety in communities across our nation. Zoe is a great ally and leader.

"Today, I join my colleagues in condemning the unacceptable treatment of refugee Central American women and children who have come to the US seeking protection from the horrors and violence in their home countries.

"DHS's removal operations for the purpose of deterring Central Americans from coming to the United States are cruel and misguided. The removal operations, which we strongly condemned, do not live up to our American values, or our time-honored tradition of offering refuge to those fleeing violence and brutality in their home country.

"We agree the Administration must continue to enforce our immigration laws, and deport felons and those who will do our country harm. However, deporting Central American women and children who may have valid asylum claims but are unable to navigate the complexities of our legal system on their own is contrary to our American belief of fairness and justice. The Administration should instead focus on establishing a regional, comprehensive refugee strategy that provides adequate screening, meaningful legal counsel, and due process that will ensure these refugee women and children have a fair chance to live in safety.

"We need practical and humane solutions like Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren's Fair Day in Court for Kids Act, which requires our government to appoint legal counsel to children and vulnerable individuals, including those with disabilities and victims of abuse, torture, or violence.

"These are the kinds of policies that reflect our American values and provide Central American families with meaningful due process and hope for safety, free of the endless violence and brutality they have endured."

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