Press Releases

Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) and fellow Congresswomen Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Xochitl Torres Small (NM-02), and Deb Haaland (NM-01) will visit the border, meet with immigrant advocates, and receive a briefing on border security from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) this weekend.

“Prior to serving in Congress, I represented asylum seekers, young DREAMers, and victims of human trafficking as a public interest lawyer,” said Congresswoman Scanlon, Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee. “I’ve seen firsthand how our broken immigration system impacts one’s access to justice. We must govern through responsible policy making that is humane and respects the rule of law. I am eager to join my colleagues on this visit as we work to develop that policy, together.”  

“Despite the President’s demagoguery over immigration, there is not a national emergency or a security crisis at the border that demands a wall,” said Leader Hoyer. “We face challenges at the border, and as negotiations over how to best secure the border continue, I feel it is important to travel there to meet directly with immigrant advocates about the humanitarian situation as well as receive a border security briefing.”

During the trip, the Members will meet with local immigrant advocates and visit a migrant shelter in El Paso, TX. In the afternoon, Members will visit multiple points along the border, including a port of entry and the area where Felipe Alonzo-Gomez, a young migrant child who died in CBP custody, was apprehended. CBP officials will brief the Members. In the evening, Members will conclude the visit with a press conference at a location close to the border. 
 

Congresswoman Scanlon was sworn into the 116^th Congress on January 3, 2019. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the House Judiciary Committee and is a member of the House Rules Committee.

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