[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 14, 2017)]
[House]
[Page H1137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PRESIDENT TRUMP'S ATTACKS AGAINST THE CITY OF CHICAGO
(Mr. QUIGLEY asked and was given permission to address the House for
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, there are few places that encapsulate all
our country has to offer more than my home city of Chicago. The
strengths of the Nation can be seen in every corner of my district,
where we celebrate diversity, passion, and resilience. This includes
our immigrant communities, and I am proud to represent one of the most
welcoming cities to those seeking a better life in America.
That is why it is ridiculous to hear the President continue his
bizarre barrage of attacks against our great city with his newest and
most misguided claim yet, that elevated gun violence in Chicago stems
from undocumented immigrants. Not only do his comments do nothing to
address the gun violence problem in Chicago, but they are just plain
wrong.
Like most major cities, we struggle with violence and encourage
constructive assistance. But studies have shown that immigration has no
effect on crime rates. In fact, researchers have found immigrants
generally have the strongest incentives to avoid activity that will put
them in contact with the criminal justice system.
The President should stop attacking the most vulnerable members of
our society and, instead, look for pragmatic, commonsense policies to
support comprehensive immigration reform and gun violence prevention.
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