May 10, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 78 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H3718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SEPARATING IMMIGRANT CHILDREN FROM THEIR FAMILIES IS A VIOLATION OF 
                           BASIC HUMAN RIGHTS

  (Mr. ESPAILLAT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. ESPAILLAT. Madam Speaker, just 1 year ago, we learned of the 
Trump administration's cruel separation family policy.
  Separating immigrant children from their family is a violation of 
basic human rights and a betrayal of our values as a nation.
  In the wake of this terrible policy, my colleagues and I went to work 
and spoke out because, Madam Speaker, we are a nation of immigrants. I 
introduced the REUNITE Act, which would require the immediate 
reunification of children with their families.
  When we learned separated children were being held in a facility in 
my district, we worked to reunite them with their parents because we 
are a nation of immigrants. My office reunited four families, one of 
which I brought to the Capitol as my guest at the State of the Union to 
show the President that the people he tried to damage through this 
terrible policy are stronger than he thinks.
  Today, the other side of the aisle presented a false motion to 
recommit. We voted it down because we are, Madam Speaker, a nation of 
immigrants.
  This administration must own up to its failure, and my colleagues and 
I will continue to work to make sure this never happens again.

                          ____________________