Henry Cuellar

To be sure, the Federal Government must protect and care for these refugees in the most humane way possible.

Securing the border is the obligation of the Federal Government.

Such unilateral actions and failed policies, in my judgment, are what caused this dire situation here in Texas in the first place.

To fix this crisis, the administration must first recognize that its failed immigration and border policies are the source of this problem.

To break this cycle we need to add in some real deterrence--first, mandatory detention and then we should explore ways to promptly return those who come here illegally.

The message these policies are sending is 'if you come, you can stay.'

Our military bases are turning into refugee camps--I never thought I would see this in America.

I think we need to reopen, reexamine, and perhaps repeal both NAFTA, which is the North American Free Trade Agreement.

How can we continue to have free and fair trade with a country that not only takes our money but is actually profiting from these drug cartels?

I would say no more money from America until they step up to their own responsibilities and stop their citizens from illegally migrating to the United States.

I think we need to take some steps, additional steps now to protect America by getting our neighbors' attention.

I think your public relations campaign, Mr. Secretary, to those countries, to tell them that this is a dangerous journey is well-intentioned.

I think we have to address the issues in those countries of origin. We have some complicity in this.

Congress...has been unable to vote on a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

I do think that the President's piece-meal administrative approach to this...might contribute to a perception.

We don't know what the facts are. We just know the allegations have been made.

Border Patrol Agents bringing toys from their own homes for these kids.

I want to thank you for that.

It is my hope that this committee with its strong history of bipartisanship, can choose the former and be a model for effective leadership on this matter.

Dehumanizing and labeling these kids and their parents will not yield a solution.

I also want to record my support on what you are all doing for the young girls in the situation in Nigeria there with the Boko Haram.

Why would you all decrease money, especially when we had just increased it by $10 million?

I slightly disagree with your statements on that.

The cuts that you all did and without going to specific cuts, you all went down and made cuts to a neighbor that has a large impact.

I would ask your folks to look at that.