Release of Armenian Prisoners

Floor Speech

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Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, for 1,000 days, Armenian prisoners of war and civilians have been held in unlawful detention. Detainees are reported to have suffered from torture and abuse while being denied fundamental legal rights. These conditions are unacceptable, and their continued detention is a violation of fundamental human rights.

I am proud to cosponsor the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act to demand the release of these prisoners and hold officials accountable for these abuses.

The San Fernando Valley is home to one of the largest communities of Armenian Americans in the country. The stories that members of the Armenian-American community have shared with me throughout this conflict are heartbreaking. I stand with the Armenian-American community, my colleagues, and the families of the detainees in calling for the release and safe return of these prisoners of war. Birthright Citizenship

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Ms. RIVAS. Mr. Speaker, just moments ago, the Supreme Court struck down Donald Trump's illegal attempt to end birthright citizenship and ruled that 4 million children born in the United States, including many across the San Fernando Valley, have a place in this country as American citizens.

For 250 years, our country was built and defined by immigrants and children of immigrants. This includes people like my sister and me, who were born and raised in Los Angeles and are now pursuing our own American Dreams and contributing to the country that we love.

The Constitution is clear. Anyone born in the United States is a citizen of the United States. Donald Trump does not get to bend the rules and rewrite the Constitution just to comply with his illegal and anti-immigrant agenda.

Mr. Speaker, I will keep fighting to protect our immigrant communities like mine in the San Fernando Valley and across the country so that they, too, can have their chance at the American Dream.

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