Luis Gutiérrez

Instead of fixing a broken system, would we rather jail nuns and other good Samaritans who are simply coming to aid of their fellow human beings consistent with their faith?

As a Nation do we really want to take the country down this road again? Do we want to criminalize millions of persons who have built equities in this country?

To use an analogy, Mr. Chairman, the removal of due process from these children seeking safety as these bills would do is like a fireman showing up at a burning building and locking the doors.

Our country is judged by how we treat the most vulnerable, and the removal of protection from children, the most vulnerable, flies against human decency and violates human dignity.

First of all, I want the public to know that none of these bills will ever become the law of this country. None of them.

My colleagues in the Republican Party, you will never--you had a good run. Abraham Lincoln, George Bush, nice run. You will never elect another republican president of the United States of America because the immigrant community won't…

I can't wait to hear from the Pope.

I want this program, and I know you want--you have dedicated your public lives to this program. I want it to work.

I would like to see--I don't think you just show up at the border, get a credible fear and that somebody gives you Blue Cross Blue Shield and a Pell grant.

We have got to design a system that doesn't cause their ultimate death because we are the beacon of hope.

I think also, though, I want to just emphasize what Congresswoman Lofgren said. You know, people are coming here.

So I would like to know the number.

I would rather be in the general category than in a category of people that really get shipped back rather quickly and get denied.

But before--well, you know what, we are really going to need to have some, Mr. Chairman, some----

My President got elected, the guy I voted for got 5 million more votes than the guy you voted for.

Shouldn't be taking 1, 2, 3 years after.

We are not going to let people go hungry.

The United States is still the international beacon of freedom for those facing oppression around the world.

I just want to talk a little bit about the asylum process, and first, I want to say that we are talking about credible fear and the President not enforcing the law and dangerous members of the drug cartels roaming our streets.

Let us begin the second session by bringing up H.R. 15.

Families, businesses, and communities all around this country are counting on us to do a lot more in 2014 than just hold another 14 hearings.

We have seen no bill providing a way for the 11 million people living in our communities... to get right with the law and earn citizenship.

Let's figure out a way how we legalize their status, and let's figure out--if you want triggers, let's put the triggers in.

If we pass legislation and they all do not go to citizenship, the next day somebody is going to show up and say that Congressman Gutierrez did not do a good enough job.

I want to step outside of my Democratic Party because I know there are men and women on your side of the aisle that want to step outside of their Republican Party and join an American party on the issue of immigration because I know there…