CHC Chair Response to Lawmaker’s Request to Arrest & Deport Dreamers at State of the Union

Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement in reaction to Rep. Paul Gosar's (AZ-04) request that U.S. Capitol Police arrest and deport young immigrants attending the State of the Union as guests of Members of Congress:

"Representative Gosar's actions to ask the U.S. Capitol Police to detain and deport Dreamers attending the State of the Union is an outright abuse of power. This cruel, racist, and hateful political stunt is intended to intimidate hopeful and determined Dreamers, who are learning, working, and contributing to the country that they love. They have stayed out of trouble, gone to school, paid their taxes, joined the military, started businesses and continued to patriotically love the United States—often the only country they have ever known.

"It is sad that Rep. Gosar has so much hate in his heart that he advocates for tearing young people from their families and deporting them. These young people represent the best of our great nation, and that is why I was proud to join dozens of my colleagues in welcoming Dreamers to Congress last night. I stand with nearly 90% of Americans—both Republicans and Democrats—who support Dreamers. We believe in Dreamers. And we will do everything we can to ensure that they can continue to pursue the American Dream."

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