Congressman Marc Veasey Releases Statement On Trip To Southern Border
Fort Worth, Texas — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) released the following statement after his recent visit to investigate the deplorable conditions of several facilities used to detain immigrants along the Southern Border:
"Over the past several weeks, we've heard disturbing reports of conditions faced by migrant children in U.S. government custody. Yesterday, my colleagues and I traveled to El Paso, Texas to see for ourselves. What we found was awful. First of all, I know that what we saw, as members of Congress on a scheduled visit planned in advance, must be better than the conditions faced by most migrants in Border Patrol custody. My colleagues and I still witnessed deplorable conditions--children barely older than toddlers in cells; families that had been separated from one another; and holding centers that were little more than animal sheds, with chain-link fences and padlocks used to lock up men, women, and children.
While we were visiting, news also broke that thousands of Border Agents were part of a secret Facebook group where members regularly posted offensive, racist, and sexist comments about the migrants in their custody, as well as members of Congress. The problems here go beyond a lack of resources. Treating others with respect is free. After today I am more determined than ever to ensure that Congress exercises its oversight responsibilities and to see that America creates an immigration system worthy of our American values."
