Immigration and Border Issues
The Immigration and Border Issues Task Force provides a national voice and leadership with regard to immigration and border issues, both within the halls of Congress and on behalf of diverse communities across the United States.
Members:
Rep. Luis Gutiérrez, Co-Chair
Rep. Loretta Sanchez, Co-Chair
Rep. Joaquin Castro
Rep. Juan Vargas
Rep. Filemon Vela
Senator Robert Menendez
More on Immigration and Border Issues
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January 22, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Caucus Chair (CHC) Michelle Lujan Grisham released the following statement after Republicans voted to pass a short-term spending bill and left town without addressing pressing issues:
"Americans are fed up that the Republican party, which controls the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate, cannot even meet its most basic responsibilities to pass a budget and keep the lights on, let alone address more complex issues. Republicans' insistence on governing from crisis to crisis is untenable and reckless.
"Instead of rising to the challenge and working across the aisle to support bipartisan solutions to Republican-created problems, the American people are once again counting down to another chaotic deadline.
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January 20, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement in reaction to the government shutdown:
"For the White House and the leaders of the Republican-controlled Congress to blame Dreamers, young people who have done everything this country has asked of them, for the government shutdown is a new low.
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January 18, 2018
Washington, D.C. - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) urges the House to support a funding resolution that addresses all of our nation's most pressing issues:
"CHC will support a funding resolution that finally includes the desperately needed necessities which thousands of Americans rely on. We cannot continuously kick the can down the road on funding to protect our military and care for our veterans. We need adequate funding for the disaster relief effort still ongoing in the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, California, Texas, and Florida. CHC Members strongly believe any funding resolution must also include a permanent legislative solution to protect Dreamers, and provide crucial funding for the Children's Health Insurance Program and community health centers that serve children, seniors and working families.
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January 18, 2018
Washington, D.C. - The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) joined Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, Evangelical Leaders and Dreamers for a press event in support of Congressional action to protect Dreamers. Below are the Chair's remarks and the video file can be downloaded here.
CHC Chair. Thank you very much.
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January 13, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement on the current state of a legislative fix for Dreamers:
"Despite the President's attempts to derail bipartisan Congressional efforts to protect Dreamers, the work toward a permanent and sensible solution for Dreamers by January 19th continues in the House and Senate. However, the Dreamer issue is a discrete, narrow matter and should be handled as such.
"I am confident that if we continue working in a bipartisan manner, Congress will find a solution that protects Dreamers, enhances border security, and reflects the values of the CHC by the end of next week.
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January 11, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), Rep. Mark Takano, and Veterans Committee Democrats applauded the progress being made by the Department of Veterans Affairs in restoring access to disability benefits and health care for American veterans who were deported after their service.
On November 20, 2017, the VA formally established a location in Tijuana where deported veterans can receive a Compensation & Pension (C&P) Exam, which is a mandatory step that determines veterans' eligibility for disability payments and health care.
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January 11, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement in response to reports that Donald Trump attacked immigration from "shithole countries" like Haiti, El Salvador, and African countries:
"The President's statement is shameful, abhorrent, unpresidential, and deserves our strongest condemnation. We must use our voices to ensure that our nation never returns to the days when ignorance, prejudice, and racism dictated our decision making.
"Our nation's strength and the American Dream stem from our immigrant roots and diversity.
January 10, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement in response to the preliminary injunction issued by California's Northern District Court on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals:
"Last night's ruling is important recognition that the President's termination of the DACA program was wrong and inflicted incredible harm on young people who have done everything this nation has asked of them. However, this ruling does not make this issue any less urgent for Dreamers who continue to live under the fear of possible detention and deportation. Only Congressional action can provide a permanent legislative fix with a path to citizenship and I will hold this Congress accountable to do its duty.
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January 9, 2018
Washington, D.C. – The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) Chair Michelle Lujan Grisham (NM-01) issued the following statement following a White House Meeting focused on finding a permanent legislative solution for Dreamers:
"I was obligated to attend today's White House meeting so that my constituents and the millions of people that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus represents had a seat at the table as we work to enact a permanent legislative fix for Dreamers by January 19th. I am encouraged that the President assured me and the bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers in attendance that he was also committed to that goal.
"This is a crisis with lives on the line.
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January 8, 2018
Washington, D.C. – Twenty-four members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus submitted a legal brief in support of several lawsuits challenging the Trump Administration's decision to waive more than 30 environmental laws to construct the border wall prototype and replacement projects in San Diego. Environmental organizations, as well as the state of California, have challenged the Administration's waiver –which applies in a 15-mile section of the border from the Pacific Ocean east to the Otay Mesa in San Diego county — as actions that are unconstitutional and beyond the powers of the executive branch. The amicus brief, submitted to the U.S.