Press Releases

I am deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of unaccompanied children and families from Central America who have arrived at our borders.  I believe our existing laws, and our obligations under international humanitarian law, allow us to respond humanely and efficiently to these families and children.  They allow us to provide safe haven to those who qualify for such protection, and a legal and humane response to those who may end up being returned to their home countries.  At this moment, we don’t need extreme solutions or political posturing.  What we do need is thoughtful leadership from Congress, the President and officials in these Central American nations.  We need a thoughtful and compassionate response on the part of the American people.  Our primary immigration problem is not one of refugee children – our primary problem is Speaker Boehner’s refusal to allow the House to consider the comprehensive measure passed over a year ago in the Senate.  That bill enjoys broad support, liberal and conservative, among the American people.