Castro Statement on Final Passage of Funding Bill

Castro Statement on Final Passage of Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement on the final passage of the reconciliation package that provides the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) with $70 billion in funding:

"Masked ICE agents have detained, deported, and killed U.S. citizens. They have locked away innocent kids like 5-year-old Liam Ramos. Flush with cash from Republicans in Congress, ICE is ripping apart families and imprisoning children instead of making communities safer. As a country, we will look back on this era with shame.

"Instead of giving billions of dollars more to what has become an abusive and rogue agency, Congress should work to lower the cost of healthcare, childcare, gas, and groceries. I voted no on this reckless funding bill."

Background:

Congressman Castro submitted two amendments to the reconciliation package. The amendments would put an end to child detention and reverse ICE's policy that makes it harder for Members of Congress to meet with detained individuals in ICE facilities. To view the amendments, click here and here. House Republicans struck down the amendments and were not included in the final bill.