Lujan: House Republicans Want to Weaken Protections For Children Fleeing Human Trafficking and Go After DREAMers

Statement

Congressman Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico's Third District and First Vice Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) joined members of the House Democratic Leadership and CHC at a press conference today in the Capitol. Luján discussed House Republicans' attempts to weaken human trafficking laws and DREAMer protections as part of legislation addressing the humanitarian crisis at the border. Below are his remarks. Click here to watch the press conference. Luján also spoke on the House floor earlier this morning about this important issue. His speech is available here.

"Yesterday we saw a House Republican conference that was in disarray because Ted Cruz and a sizable number of their members were not satisfied with a bill that they drafted that would strip away due process from children who are trying to escape the most unimaginable violence that has gripped Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras -- the murder capital of the world.

"The stories of violence, sexual abuse, and human trafficking are heartbreaking. You've reported on them. But it wasn't enough for House Republicans to weaken anti human trafficking laws, taking away the opportunity for these young people to tell their stories -- they'll be sending them back to the very traffickers and rapists they are trying to escape.

"Today we are hearing from House Republicans that now they want to add provisions to go after DREAMers, children who were brought to this country through no fault of their own and have grown up here in the only home they have known, contributing to the greatest nation in the world.

"Rather than working with Democrats in a bipartisan way, House Republicans again are giving into the most extreme wing of their party to bring a mean-spirited bill that will break up families and go after those who want to build a better life for themselves, their families, and their communities.

"As the Conference of Catholic Bishops said, [it's like] sending them back into a burning building."

Source