CHC Chair Statement Chair Statement on Asylum Seekers at San Ysidro Port
May 1, 2018
Washington D.C. — Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chairwoman Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) released the following statement in reaction to the numerous reports of the urgent situation at the San Ysidro port of entry where mothers with children, transgender women and others seeking asylum have been unable to be screened or apply:
"This Administration should be embarrassed and ashamed that our federal agencies are slow walking or altogether closing the door on women, men and children who are peacefully turning themselves over to the authorities to seek asylum from violence and economic strife. Seeking asylum in our country is not illegal, in fact, it is written into our immigration laws to ensure that those with a credible fear of persecution can present their case.
"Furthermore, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the nation's largest federal law enforcement agency, should have been equipped to process the 150 – 200 women, men and children in accordance with U.S. immigration and humanitarian laws given the numerous news reports and advanced warning of their intentions to seek asylum. While the asylum process is underway for these families and children, we must ensure that it is conducted fairly and in accordance with our laws and standard practices, and federal officials do everything possible to keep parents and children together.
"The world is watching to see whether or not our country, founded to be a refuge for those fleeing persecution and seeking freedom, will live up to our founding principles and human rights commitment. If the United States is truly a beacon of hope, then we must not lose our humanity by closing our eyes to the pleas of women, men and children that traveled thousands of miles in search of a better life."
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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), founded in December 1976, is organized as a Congressional Member organization, governed under the Rules of the U.S. House of Representatives. The CHC is dedicated to voicing and advancing, through the legislative process, issues affecting Hispanics in the United States, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories.