Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro Statement on State of the Union
WASHINGTON— Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, released the following statement after attending the president's State of the Union address at the Capitol tonight:
"Members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus brought guests to the State of the Union tonight to show hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better tomorrow. From Dreamers and TPS-holders, teachers, federal employees, these guests showed America that the immigrant community is just like you and me, and we have a moral obligation to protect those fleeing violence and offer immigrant families opportunities to achieve their own version of the American Dream. Further, it is clear that Hispanic entrepreneurs, doctors, service members, and so much more are part of our nation's fabric and undoubtedly make our economy and country stronger.
"But the President chose to use his speech to once again demonize an entire group of people based on the actions of few, pushing his anti-immigrant agenda. Equating immigrants with criminals, a border wall with strong border security, and asylum seekers with human traffickers, it's critical we as Americans reject this false narrative put forth by this Administration. Further, as the President announced mobilizing more troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and continued his pursuit for a border wall, he is actively diverting vital funds that hurt education, healthcare, infrastructure programs and so much more.
"The American people expect us to create real solutions, and the Hispanic Caucus, along with our Democratic colleagues, are working to meet that expectation with investments in a smart security agenda and comprehensive immigration reform. Most immediately, the CHC is actively working to pass legislation to provide a pathway to citizenship for TPS-holders and Dreamers, while also working to reunify separated families, and ensure asylum seekers are able to receive the protections afforded to them by U.S. and international immigration laws.
"Americans, and specifically Members of Congress, should strive to ensure our government works for the people, but that won't be possible with the dangerous agenda that the President offered tonight. It's time to chart a new path forward—a path that symbolizes hope, opportunity, and the promise of a better tomorrow. That's the right agenda for the people, and sings true to our founding fathers' ideals."
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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.