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Congress, President Must Work Together on Border Crisis

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Congress, President Must Work Together on Border Crisis
Proposed New Spending Should be Debated Promptly

(Washington, D.C.) – In response to the growing crisis of Central American children arriving at the southern U.S. border, the president has requested $3.7 billion in new spending. This package would fund detention facilities, increased aerial surveillance and the hiring of additional immigration judges and Border Patrol agents. Because the White House deems this an "emergency," the requested spending would be added to the U.S. debt, which currently totals over $17 trillion.

Daniel Garza, Executive Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement: 

"What is going on at the border is a humanitarian crisis, and it requires a timely response. While the White House has been exceptionally slow to respond to a growing problem, the president has now asked for emergency funding to address it. Congress should respond promptly, debating and passing an appropriate legislative response – including a review of U.S. laws and policies that may be contributing to the problem. 

Our policy should focus on improving enforcement of our laws, while treating with compassion the children who continue to arrive by the thousands. This nation has always respected the dignity of each individual and we should continue to do so. These children represent families acting on bad information, and they should be treated with kindness. At the same time, we must send the clear signal that under our laws, the majority will not be permitted to remain here. They should be reunited with their families as quickly as possible."

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 571-257-3309 or Steven Cruz, 202-578-6173

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