[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)]
[House]
[Page H4329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RELEASE OF ARMENIAN PRISONERS

  (Ms. Rivas of California was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  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

  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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