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Congressman Gonzalez Issues Statement on Family Separation Solutions

June 20, 2018

WASHINGTON – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) has issued the following statement in response to the administration's inaction to end the ‘zero-tolerance' policy that is separating immigrant families on the U.S.-Mexico border.

On Tuesday, Congressman Gonzalez cosponsored H.R. 6135, the Keep Families Together Act, to end family separation at the U.S.-Mexico border. The bill would also limit prosecutions for asylum seekers, increase child welfare training for U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and establish procedures for family reunification. Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Diane Feinstein (D-CA) introduced a Senate companion bill earlier this month.

Read the statement from Congressman Gonzalez below:

"On Sunday, I joined colleagues from across the nation to visit the McAllen Border Patrol Station. Separating immigrant families, and detaining immigrant children in large cages, is inhumane and un-American. Not one smile was worn by any child, not one. My continued decision to oppose the administration's ‘zero-tolerance' policy is not based on opinion, it is based on morality.

"Recently, I traveled to El Salvador and Guatemala to speak with government officials about how we can continue working to address the root of the problem. I believe the issues we are dealing with at our border are a result of decades of failed American policy in Central America. I hope together we can help these countries create economic opportunities and end gang violence in order to incentivize its citizens to stay home.

"The audio released by ProPublica only deepens my concern regarding the situation on the U.S.-Mexico border. It is astounding that some of our fellow men and women are unfazed by the cries of a young child. So, I ask the Administration – where is your humanity?

"On Tuesday, I cosponsored the Keep Families Together Act. I am ready to work with my colleagues on bipartisan, bicameral solutions to mend the broken immigration system and clear this blemish on American history.

"This is not a partisan issue and many of us in Congress are ready to come together to solve it. The President, Attorney General, and Secretary of Homeland Security need to open their hearts and end this injustice. The eyes of the nation, the world – and God – are upon them."

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