[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 11]
[House]
[Page 16266]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         IMMIGRATION AND WOMEN

  (Ms. DUCKWORTH asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. Speaker, achieving immigration reform is not just 
an issue of security or economics; it is also an issue of women's 
rights. It is women who disproportionately bear the brunt of our 
inability to fix the immigration system. Undocumented women are more 
likely to suffer from domestic violence, poor work conditions, or be 
victims of human trafficking. They are afraid to demand justice for 
crimes that are committed against them, and they are afraid of 
retaliation and deportation.
  A pathway to citizenship is critical to putting an end to a system 
that encourages the exploitation of women. Far too many mothers have 
been separated from their children because our immigration system does 
not value family unity and parental rights. Family values are American 
values. Women waiting decades to reunite with their families is not 
acceptable.
  Ensuring that our family-based immigration policies are strong and 
that they come with rights to employment are key to promoting the well-
being of women. We benefit as a Nation when women have the ability to 
reach their full potential. With the help of women, it is projected 
that comprehensive immigration reform will reduce our deficit by $1 
trillion over 10 years.
  I know that my neighbors care about women's rights and care about 
keeping families together. That is why we need to pass comprehensive 
immigration reform now.

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