June 27, 2019

Correa Votes Against Increased Detention of Migrant Children

Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Lou Correa (D-CA-46) released the following statement after the passage of the Senate passed emergency funding for the humanitarian crisis along the US - Mexico border.

Congressman Correa said, “There is a humanitarian crisis at our southern border. Migrants legally seeking asylum are abused and imprisoned in inhumane conditions. The conditions these migrants are being held in should shake all Americans to their core. As one of the most wealthy and powerful nations on earth, our treatment of legal migrants is abysmal. We cannot resolve the issues along our border without first addressing the difficulties faced by migrants seeking our help.”

Congressman Correa supported the House Supplemental Appropriations Bill. The Senate Supplemental Appropriations Bill will:

  1. Allow The Government To Imprison Children Even Longer: The bill allows the Department of Health and Human Services to detain children for up to 14 months.
  2. Eliminate Critical Oversight Measures: The Senate bill removes critical oversight measures including no-notice Congressional oversight tours of facilities, and mandatory Congressional notification of deaths within 24- hours. The Administration has repeatedly demonstrated it cannot be trusted to behave appropriately. Without proper oversight, Congress has no way of ensuring migrants are cared for properly.
  3. Eliminate Funding For Alternatives To Detention: The humanitarian crisis at our southern border is being exasperated by the Administration’s criminalization of migrants crossing our border. By removing alternatives to detention, the Senate bill only extends the crisis and ensures the Administration’s continued need for more beds, holding facilities, and more money.
  4. Expand The Administration’s Militarization Of Our Border: By including additional funding for military forces currently operating along our southern border, this bill legitimizes President Trump’s use of the United States military to police our border. This creates a dangerous precedent and needlessly puts lives at risk.

Congressman Correa added, “Instead of addressing this as a humanitarian crisis, the President continues to treat it as a law enforcement issue. As long as he prioritizes guards over doctors, and cages over homes the problem will never get better.

“I urge the President to cast aside this flawed immigration strategy and work with Democrats to develop a real comprehensive immigration policy that empowers America without discarding our morals and imprisoning children. There are real humane solutions.”

Rep. Lou Correa represents California’s 46th Congressional District. He serves as Chair of the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, and as the Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet. Read more here.