Rep. Stansbury Calls Out GOP for Using Hearing to Distract from Shutdown and Dehumanize Immigrants

WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Representative Melanie Stansbury (N.M.-01) called out House Republicans for holding a politicized hearing less than four days before a government shutdown. The hearing focused on the influx of immigration in New York and its impact on National Parks, as well as the real and present issues facing thousands of migrants in overcrowded facilities in New York. While Democrats discussed ways to ensure that shelter conditions are livable and dignified, and that migrants have the proper resources and services to facilitate their asylum and work authorization process, Republicans used the hearing to spout taking points attacking immigrants, the immigration system, and the Biden administration. 

“This is a humanitarian crisis. This is a serious immigration issue. We do have a humanitarian crisis happening right now. There are thousands of people coming to the United States right now. I represent a border state,” said Rep. Stansbury, “I represent the people of New Mexico. And we know that we have to search for real solutions.” 

Speaking to the importance of bipartisan immigration reform, and the impact of the looming government shutdown on immigration, Rep. Stansbury explained, “We need bipartisan immigration reform. We need a pathway to citizenship. We need an asylum system that works. We need border security that is humane and appropriate. We need to address this crisis. We need you to act. But you got to keep the government open first. And we need you to come to the table and actually work on bipartisan immigration reform.”   

Pointing to the fact that we are a nation of immigrants, Rep. Stansbury began her closing remarks stating, “My own family came through New York City in the 1850s to escape famine in Ireland, like many of your families did,” she continued, “if you want to be serious about immigration reform, if you want to be serious about the people of New York, if you want to be serious about helping people across the world who are struggling with violence, with famine and economic desperation, then come to the table and be serious. But don't use this committee as a political stunt. Don't use this committee to dehumanize people coming to this country. And don't use this committee as a farce to try to make the people of New York think that you actually care about them, because that's not what this is about,” Rep. Stansbury closed.   

You can find a video of Representative Stansbury’s remarks here.   

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