On the recordJuly 10, 2014
Today I rise out of an overwhelming concern for young people and children in Central America. President Obama has a habit of saying to Americans, ``Let me be clear.'' I wish desperately he would be clear with the thousands of Central American families who have not yet tried to cross our border. In 2012, the President announced he would not enforce the law with regard to 800,000 young people who crossed our border illegally. Predictably, families and dangerous smugglers got the message. Detention centers in our Southwestern States are overflowing. The photos and stories of the traveling and living conditions of these kids is heartbreaking to see and to hear. Tragically, the administration doubled down on Sunday, when Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson promised more executive action and refused to say new arrivals would be returned. This ambiguous approach created the crisis in the first place. Without clarity, more suffering will assuredly follow. Mr. Speaker, I wish the President would consider the consequences of his disregard for the rule of law and be clear with would-be legal immigrants. ____________________
