Melanie Stansbury: “What country is this? Children are not political pawns or political…”

On the recordFebruary 2, 2026

What country is this? Children are not political pawns or political props. Tonight, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father are back in their home in Minnesota after being abducted and taken to detention in Texas, but this never should have happened. A 5-year-old taken from his home and detained in violation of his basic human and constitutional rights is part of an ill-conceived and incompetently implemented policy of daily deportation quotas that is not just incompetent but inhumane. This year, 3,800 children have been abducted across the country and detained. It is shameful and an embarrassment to our country. That is why we must act. It is why I will vote 'no' and not give a single other penny to DHS. It is why we must impeach Kristi Noem. It is time to act. We will not be complicit.

Said by

Melanie Stansbury

Democratic · New Mexico

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Addressing the issue of child detention and deportation policies.

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Melanie Stansbury: “What country is this? Children are not political pawns or political props. Tonight, 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his…”

Editor's note · Context