Rep. Cisneros and Jefferies Visit Immigrant Children, Call for Humane Immigration Reform

Statement

Today, Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) and Caucus Chair Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) toured a shelter program in Fullerton that has cared for immigrant children that traveled from Central America and were separated from their parents under President Trump's zero-tolerance border policy. The Representatives also viewed the shelter's medical department, housing units, and classroom program.

"It is our responsibility to put forward solutions to address our immigration system and end the inhumane treatment of people because of their country of origin," said Rep. Cisneros. "The children we saw today are simply trying to pursue a better life, as are the thousands of immigrant families who look to America as a beacon of hope and come to our country wanting to contribute to our communities and economy. For the sake of these children, their parents, and our entire immigrant community, we need humane comprehensive immigration reform that upholds our American values."

"I thank Representative Cisneros for the opportunity to see firsthand the impact of the president's immigration policies in Southern California," said House Democratic Caucus Chairman Hakeem Jeffries. "We need to work together to end the humanitarian crisis at the border and ensure American values are reflected in our immigration policies."

Reps. Cisneros and Jeffries were part of a delegation trip down to the U.S.-Mexico border along with 23 Members of Congress to investigate the impact of the Trump Administration's immigration policies in El Paso and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. The delegation spoke with immigration advocates about how the new Migrant Protection Protocol (MPP) and metering policies affect people seeking asylum. They also participated in a congressional oversight visit to an Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) facility for unaccompanied minors and a Customs and Border Protection facility.

Rep. Cisneros has been an advocate for undocumented immigrants, Dreamers, and TPS holders in Congress and personally through his charitable foundation. He recently hosted a Dreamer as his guest to the President's State of the Union Address. He is also a cosponsor of H.R. 1298 the Higher Education Dream Act, which would prevent colleges and universities from refusing to enroll or grant in-state tuition to Dreamers and is a cosponsor of H.R. 668, the American Dream Employment Act, which would allow DACA beneficiaries to be eligible for paid employment in Congress.

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