[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 116 (Wednesday, July 11, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H6043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           FAMILY SEPARATION

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the court-ordered deadline 
for the Trump administration to reunite more than 100 children under 5 
years old with their families.
  The administration has failed to meet this deadline, and that is 
shameful. Dozens of babies and toddlers remain in government custody 
with no idea of when they will see their parents again.
  As a mom, I am outraged. This administration is failing to comply 
with a court-ordered deadline.
  But what is this really about, babies, toddlers, and young children? 
Ask any pediatrician. This is harmful, and every day creates more harm 
to these innocent children.
  This administration is saying they were forced to separate families 
when, in fact, it was their deliberate zero-tolerance policy, their 
strategy that forcibly took children out of their parents' arms, and it 
has always been within their power to stop this coldhearted and 
inhumane madness.
  On Monday, I met with Latino and immigrant community leaders in 
Oregon to hear from them firsthand about how this administration's 
actions are harming families and communities. They spoke of 
unprecedented fear, of families torn apart, and of children afraid to 
go to school. They spoke about why people come to the United States in 
the first place: to make a better life for themselves and for their 
children.
  Miriam Corona from Yamhill County said that there is no greater gift 
of love than to leave everything you know for your children's future. 
That is why my grandparents got on a boat in 1921 and crossed the ocean 
from Italy for the American Dream. It is why many people are now 
fleeing terrible violence in Central America and in Mexico to make a 
better life for themselves and their children and, oftentimes, to save 
their children's lives.
  That is what we stand for in this country of the United States of 
America: a better life, a peaceful life free from violence, and a 
better future for the next generation. As a parent, that is what I want 
for my children, and as a Member of Congress, it is what I want for 
everyone in our community.
  The Trump administration's actions contradict these fundamental 
values. We are better than this. I continue to demand that the 
administration reunite all separated children with their parents--not 
later, now. This is a court order, not a suggestion.
  If the problem is that these agencies are understaffed, I will come 
over to the agency. I will go over to Health and Human Services to 
help. I am sure many of my colleagues will join me.
  Mr. Speaker, when the families are reunited, our work is not done. We 
must fix our broken immigration system. It is long past time to vote on 
a comprehensive, humane, and compassionate immigration reform bill. 
That is what Oregonians want, and it is what the majority of people in 
this country want.

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