November 26, 2018

Congressional Hispanic Caucus First Vice-Chair Joaquin Castro Statement on the Border Situation

WASHINGTON--Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, today released the following statement:

“For generations, Republican and Democratic Administration have maintained an orderly, humane asylum process that respects international law while protecting the sovereignty and security of the United States. Yet, the Trump Administration has failed miserably.

“The decision to gas asylum seekers—including many women and children—was cruel, unnecessary, and inconsistent with who we are and who we aspire to be as a nation. President Trump should reestablish an orderly asylum process, and coordinate with Mexico and U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure families can petition for asylum in a fair and safe fashion while simultaneously receiving necessary resources while they wait. We must also work to stabilize the Northern Triangle countries to address the root causes of migration.

“Above all, Congress must work together to pass comprehensive immigration reform. Closing our borders and tear gassing vulnerable populations is not the answer, and we can and must do better as a nation.”

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