Post by bot on Mar 26, 2015 17:55:17 GMT -5
Hoyer Remarks at Press Conference on House Democrats' Continued Efforts to Educate Communities about the
President’s Immigration Executive Actions
WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) delivered the following remarks today at a press conference with Representative Luis Gutiérrez and other House Democrats to discuss their continued efforts to educate individuals and families about the President’s immigration executive actions:
“I think all of my colleagues here are extraordinarily proud to be standing here with [Rep.] Luis Gutiérrez, who has done such an extraordinary job of not only pressing for comprehensive immigration reform but pressing for this country to treat its people fairly, smartly and, as he says, not excuse wrong doing but to welcome and to ensure that those who are here making a difference for America are treated consistent with the President’s policy. We believe the President’s policies are legal. We think the courts will find they are legal, and America will be better for it. But what we really need to do is pass a comprehensive immigration reform [bill] and replicate what the Senate has already done. So, thank you, Representative Luis Gutiérrez for the extraordinary work you have done.
“I’m excited to be hosting, as Representative Luis Gutiérrez said, in Maryland’s Fifth District next month an event highlighting information about how eligible immigrants can apply for DACA and DAPA when the applications become available, as we hope they will shortly become. Despite the ruling from the lower court in Texas earlier this year, I expect that the President’s authority to set immigration policy will be upheld. Let us remember, that he did not act without cause. Even after the Senate passed a bipartisan bill in 2013, the Republican-led House never took up either that comprehensive [immigration reform] bill or any bill of its own, after saying time after time – Mr. Cantor has said it, Mr. McCarthy has said it – the immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. We agree. The President has agreed and tried to do what he could under law to do so. Now it is time for us to bring a bill to the Floor. But in the interim, this [Family Defender] packet allows people to understand their rights in this country, pursuant to the President’s order.
“If Republicans disagree with the President’s immigration policies, again, they have an alternative: bring a bill to the Floor to change that. The Congress has the authority to do so. Democrats will continue to fight for comprehensive reform that keeps families together. As Chairman of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe in Helsinki – the Helsinki Commission – I spent a lot of time behind the Iron Curtain in the 1980s pleading for family reunification. How ironic it would be that a country that stood for family unification didn’t stand for family unification here at home.
“I’m proud to be among the many House Democrats who have held, or will be holding, events in our districts to raise awareness about DACA and DAPA programs and provide helpful information. But ultimately, these are short-term solutions when we need a long-term one. But in the interim, I am pleased that Luis Gutiérrez is traveling throughout this country with all of us in our districts, educating people so that they are not treated inconsistent with what the law is. So, I am pleased to have been here with my colleagues and Luis Gutiérrez, a real hero on behalf of family reunification, unification, and a better country.”
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