Brian Higgins: “One of the first actions of this administration was to shut down our Nation's doors to families, women, and children…”

“One of the first actions of this administration was to shut down our Nation's doors to families, women, and children around the world fleeing violence and seeking refuge within our borders. These bans showed a lack of decency and empathy, and they ignored the lessons of history. Immigrants built America, and they helped sustain and expand all that is good in a just and free society. The President's ignorance of this history is perhaps the point of his policy, one that he uses to exploit and divide. Reports now show that the country intends to admit only 15,000 refugees this year, down from nearly 100,000 4 years ago. The refugee community in western New York has helped revitalize entire neighborhoods, bringing diversity, culture, and new economic opportunity. The organizations that support refugees, like the International Institute of Buffalo, Journey's End, Jewish Family Services, and others, continue to do their work with dwindling Federal support, but still they continue to do their good work. I believe that we can once again be a generous and welcoming nation to the world's most vulnerable. It is imperative for our future that we do so. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from engaging in personalities toward the President. ____________________”