Hoyer Discusses President Trump’s Family Separation Policy on NPR’s All Things Considered
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Press Release
For Immediate Release:
June 20, 2018
Contact Info:
Mariel Saez 202-225-3130
WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined NPR's All Things Considered today to discuss President Trump’s family separation policy. Below are excerpts and a link to the interview:
“[The President’s executive order] really doesn't change very much the reality on the ground. It simply says that children can be incarcerated in a prison-like context, pending a determination of the individuals’ claim of asylum. So this treats children exactly the opposite of what the Flores decision said we ought to do. We ought to treat them as children – humanely and decently. It is interesting that John McCain said that this policy – that was initiated by the President, and put in place by President, and announced by the Attorney General – was, and I quote John McCain, ‘an affront to the decency of the American people.’”
“Neither of the bills that we're going to consider tomorrow [resolve the crisis]. That's why the [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee], the civil rights community, and so many others are opposed to both of these pieces of legislation. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure that the second piece of legislation is going to come forward. We’ll see. But it looks to be that there's a deep division within the Republican party as to the soundness of the policies they're pursuing, so we will see.”
“We are prepared to sit down and work on comprehensive immigration reform, which we think is absolutely necessary. But we will not be cowed by taking little children hostage and then being demanded to vote for things that we think are harmful…”
“[The President’s executive order] really doesn't change very much the reality on the ground. It simply says that children can be incarcerated in a prison-like context, pending a determination of the individuals’ claim of asylum. So this treats children exactly the opposite of what the Flores decision said we ought to do. We ought to treat them as children – humanely and decently. It is interesting that John McCain said that this policy – that was initiated by the President, and put in place by President, and announced by the Attorney General – was, and I quote John McCain, ‘an affront to the decency of the American people.’”
“Neither of the bills that we're going to consider tomorrow [resolve the crisis]. That's why the [U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee], the civil rights community, and so many others are opposed to both of these pieces of legislation. As a matter of fact, I'm not sure that the second piece of legislation is going to come forward. We’ll see. But it looks to be that there's a deep division within the Republican party as to the soundness of the policies they're pursuing, so we will see.”
“We are prepared to sit down and work on comprehensive immigration reform, which we think is absolutely necessary. But we will not be cowed by taking little children hostage and then being demanded to vote for things that we think are harmful…”