Chicago City Wire

WASHINGTON, DC – On June 22, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) delivered a speech on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives opposing an extreme Republican resolution attempting to scapegoat and vilify immigrants. H.Res. 461 threatens to take federal funds from public schools if any of their facilities are used to temporarily house refugees or migrants. Congressman García voted against this resolution.

The video of the speech can be found here.

A translation of the text of the speech can be found at the bottom of this press release.

“I rise on June 22 to speak out against the latest Republican attempt to vilify and scapegoat migrants. A few weeks ago it was H.R, 2, the “Child Deportation Act,” now it’s H. Res. 461.

“It’s Republicans spending time — and taxpayer dollars — to trot out stereotypes of migrants as ‘dangerous and dirty’ and who knows what else.

“Republicans are spewing anti-immigrant rhetoric in this resolution to demonstrate that they are standing up for students.

“But we know it’s not true. Perhaps they are using this resolution to distract from their continued attempts to ban books, to take food assistance from needy families, and to block child tax credits - which could help families across the country. 

“Let’s remember who Republicans are targeting with this language. They’re targeting migrants — many of them asylum seekers — who come to this country, who risk their lives — and to our cities — seeking safety and stability.

“They’re targeting migrants trafficked by GOP governors as a political stunt.

“This resolution is part of the same stunt, designed to sell fear and hatred — to make primetime slot pieces on Fox News. It’s dangerous for immigrants like me and the community I represent. 

“I urge my colleagues to reject this resolution.”

Original source can be found here.