Adriano Espaillat: “Once again, we find ourselves in an unguided, misguided debate about the fundamental concept of our nation of…”

“Once again, we find ourselves in an unguided, misguided debate about the fundamental concept of our nation of immigrants. We find ourselves in a debate trying to deny what we really are, a nation of immigrants. Mr. Speaker, let me remind you, on average, TPS holders have lived in the United States for over 22 years--many of them hailing from Latin American countries. Redesignating and designating TPS would be a wise thing for over 2 million people already residing in the United States of America. Mr. Speaker, in addition, families often have to wait decades before they reunite with their family members; sometimes four decades, three decades, before they reunite with their children. Mr. Speaker, 4 million people are waiting to reunite with their families. United families are stronger. United families make America stronger. Let's unite the families. That is a family value. Unity of the family is a family value that we must protect. Mr. Speaker, we are a nation of immigrants. ____________________”