Horsford Highlights Impact Of Broken Immigration System On Women And Children

Press Release

Today, Representative Steven Horsford (NV-4) spoke at the Congressional Progressive Caucus' The Impact of Current Immigration Policy on Women and Children forum. He shared the story of how a family in his district was almost broken apart after the mother faced deportation.

Below is the full transcript of Rep. Horsford's remarks:

"Thank you. First, I would like to thank Mr. Grijalva and Mr. Ellison, the Progressive Caucus co-chairs, for conducting this important forum.

"I represent Nevada's 4th Congressional District, which includes North Las Vegas and Las Vegas, and the central, rural part of Nevada.

"And like today, I have conducted numerous forums on immigration, on the problems with deportation and detention, and at every meeting that we've had, we've had courageous people like our panelists here today who have come forward to share their story in an effort to explain how broken the immigration system is.

"And one of the stories that impacts me the most is one of Thelma and her son Bryan. Thelma came to the United States when she was 25 years old looking for a better way for her family. Her son, Bryan, who is a U.S. citizen, and is about to graduate from college, and his mother almost didn't get to see him graduate.

"Thelma was picked up by ICE after her estranged husband, who abused her, called ICE on her and had her picked up, and for four weeks she remained in detention, until Congressmen Gutierrez and Hinojosa were in my district doing a forum; they heard Bryan come up and share the story about his mother.

"So we were able to intervene, because as Ms. Schakowsky explained, under the Violence Against Women Act women who are undocumented are no protected under the U Visa in asylum. But that was not awarded to Thelma in her case.

"So I promised Thelma that I would continue to share her story and that of her son. I just got an email this morning telling me that ICE may still try to deport Thelma because they're claiming she can't substantiate the years of abuse that she was under.

"So now she's being abused again, but this time by a broken immigration system.

"And you know for me, like my colleagues here, the hypocrisy of my colleagues on the other side: if I hear them talk about family values one more day, and not respect the families that are represented here today, or the families that each one of us represents in our district, it's so hypocritical to me, because immigration should be about keeping our families together. Whether it's Thelma, Bryan, or any one of you.

"And so I appreciate your courage in coming here today, and I pledge to do all that I can to get to a solution. Because deferred action is good but it's not good enough. Having legalization is good, but it's not a pathway to citizenship.

"And while we want the President to act and review deportation that is not a permanent, legislative fix to what's broken in our immigration policy. Only Congress can change that, and there's only one person in the House of Representatives who is standing in our way, and that's Speaker John Boehner.

"We have the votes, but he won't give us a vote. And that's why my colleagues and I will continue to do everything in our power to push for a vote because we know ultimately that's the only solution that will help our families.

"So thank you for your courage and for speaking up today. You represent millions of families. It's not just you. Each one of you represents so many others out there who need this voice to be heard. So thank you very much for your courage."

Source