Tearing Immigrant Children Away From Their Parents

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and fellow member on the House Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Lou Correa, for leading tonight's special order regarding the need to protect immigrant children and families from the cruel and punitive policies adopted by the Trump Administration.

Over the past several months, the Trump Administration has engaged in the barbaric activity of separating migrant children from their parents to instill fear and deter families from seeking legal protection in the United States. These families are fleeing dangerous and violent situations in their home countries--seeking safety in the United States--only to have their children taken away from them. In many situations, the parents are not told where their children are or when they will be reunited.

We have laws in place so that people fleeing dangerous situations can request protection and humanitarian relief. We should open our arms to these families, not tear them apart and put them in jail.

Earlier this year, I was proud to lead all 12 of Democrats on the Committee on Homeland Security, as well as 63 of our Democratic colleagues, in sending a letter to Secretary Nielsen strongly opposing the practice of separating migrant parents from their children at the border. I continue to condemn this practice by the Trump Administration. A secure border and effective immigration system is important. The use of these tactics to deter migration is not only ineffective, but also un-American. I urge my colleagues to join me in speaking out against this unjust and inhumane policy.

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