House Majority Leader Hoyer, Reps. Vargas, Peters, and Levin Witness Implementation of Flawed Asylum Policies
SAN YSIDRO, CA (February 22, 2019) — Today, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Congressmen Juan Vargas (CA-51), Scott Peters (CA-52), Mike Levin (CA-49) released the following statement after touring the San Ysidro Port of Entry and observing the implementation of the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP).
“Today, we had the opportunity to visit the San Ysidro Port of Entry, where we viewed the recent infrastructure upgrades and were briefed on processing of asylum seekers. We also discussed the implementation of MPP and expressed our concern for how it has hurt the lives of migrants, some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
“Turning asylum seekers away, or making them wait in a country that is foreign to them, completely contradicts the founding principles of our great nation. We cannot allow this flawed and inhumane policy to define who we are as a country. Now more than ever, Congress stands with asylum seekers and all immigrants.”
MPP will force individuals, who are seeking asylum through the legal process, to remain in Mexico pending their hearing before a U.S. immigration judge. Seventy-three people, including 13 children, have been processed under the new protocols since DHS implemented MPP at San Ysidro.
Vargas represents California’s 51st Congressional District which includes the southern portion of San Diego County, all of Imperial County and California’s entire U.S.-Mexico border. Vargas was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012 and is currently serving his fourth term in Congress. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee and House Foreign Affairs Committee.
###