Veronica Escobar

I will be reintroducing the American Families United Act this week, a bill that will help families like Edgar's.

It's long past time that we recognize that immigrants are in that positive for our economy.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again.

What we're seeing today and have seen for years at the southern border... is, unfortunately, the consequence of America's failed approach to immigration.

I can tell you, I think, that the vast majority of Americans are really looking forward to some pretty broad, bold solutions, with an eye towards saving our planet.

I represent El Paso, Texas, which is on the southern border. And I am delighted that we are finally focusing a bit more on the Western Hemisphere.

These ports are just as crucial as their coastal counterparts, with billions in trade crossing by land every day.

I believe it is just as important to recognize high quality border infrastructure will benefit both those who live on the border and those who do not.

We need to give border communities the chance to receive just as much funding as other cities so they can revitalize their economies.

I am urging the committee to consider increasing the border set-aside created in the FAST Act for surface transportation program funds from 5 percent to 10 percent in H.R. 2.

That is an old racist trope intended to inspire fear and hatred.

The words of Governor Greg Abbott are actually really dangerous.

So I think over the long term, the work that we do will not just help create a greater planet, but it will create stability for people in their home countries.

We will not have an administration making it worse. Instead, we have an administration wanting to peel those awful policies away.

The only reason why right now or during the Trump administration, these vulnerable souls were out of sight and out of mind was because Mexico was collaborating with Donald Trump.

My Republican colleagues, especially on this committee, are focusing on trying to return to the Trump-era status quo.

The Biden administration is dealing with the consequences of policies and practices created by the prior administration that made things worse.

Yes, it is an accurate characterization. Not only was the border effectively shut down in many respects to unlawful entry, but it was also shut down to lawful entry and refugee programs.

I want to know why that is happening, how many families that has happened to, what the plan is.

My Republican colleagues would like to see the continuation of Title 42 expulsions. I am not a fan.

Are you aware, sir, that the families, the women, children, vulnerable populations who have been subjected to MMP, were targets of and victims of crime?

Do walls stop people from coming to the United States?

Mr. Secretary, did migrants stop their journey northward while Donald Trump was President?

It is great to see you. Thank you for your testimony today and for the competent leadership you are finally providing the Department of Homeland Security.

I would like your commitment to working with me on a binational COVID plan for border communities like mine.