Secure the Border Act of 2023

Floor Speech

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of this cruel, extreme, and unworkable policy.

The United States has long been a beacon for those coming from other countries in search of a better life. The bill before us today will end the asylum system as we know it and eliminate humanitarian protections for people coming to the United States.

Many asylum seekers are escaping conditions that we cannot fathom, yet here we are debating a measure that will subject them to more cruelty. Cruelty is the point, but cruelty will not fix our broken immigration system.

This bill will make it nearly impossible to seek asylum at the border, upend protections for unaccompanied minors, and mandate that all asylum-seeking families be detained indefinitely, regardless if they are with children.

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, these policies will only exacerbate the extreme suffering occurring at the southern border.

If Republicans really wanted to address this crisis, they would join Democrats to pass real, comprehensive immigration reform.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this cruel, draconian bill.

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