Nation's Moral Traditions

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOMEZ. Madam Speaker, it is obvious that the administration doesn't care about the welfare of immigrant children being separated from their parents, but they should at least care about what kind of long-term impact they will have on all children, those currently living in the United States, documented or not, U.S. citizens or not.

We act like kids, all kids, don't know what is going on, but they do. They might not watch CNN, MSNBC, or FOX, but they talk to their classmates, siblings, teachers, and caregivers. They are hearing that kids are being torn away from their parents. We have to ask ourselves: What are they thinking? What goes through their minds? Are the young ones thinking that they can be next?

I am not exaggerating because shortly after the election of Donald Trump, my nephew cried because he thought if my sister left the country--because she is a resident and not a U.S. citizen--that she would not be able to return. So we know that these kids are paying attention. Yes, we might not know for certain what they are all thinking, but what we do know is that this policy must end now.

This must stop for the immigrant children and for all our children so that they feel secure and safe where it is natural, where they feel loved, and that is with their parents.

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