Congressmen Crowley and Gutiérrez, Catholic Migration Services Host Immigration Resources Forum in Queens

Congressmen Crowley and Gutiérrez,
Catholic Migration Services Host Immigration Resources Forum in Queens

(Queens, NY) – Congressman Joe Crowley (D-Queens, the Bronx), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, was joined by Congressman Luis Gutiérrez (D-IL), Father Patrick Keating of Catholic Migration Services, and NYC Councilman Francisco Moya (D-East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Corona) to meet with immigrant families living in Corona yesterday to discuss efforts to combat the Trump administration’s anti-immigrant agenda and the resources available to immigrants living in New York City.

“From day one, the Trump administration has launched attack after attack on our immigrant families, and I stand with the thousands of immigrants living in Queens and the Bronx who have been targeted by President Trump’s xenophobic agenda,” said Congressman Crowley. “The administration’s new practice of forcibly separating families arriving at our border is nothing short of child abuse, and I can’t imagine the horror being inflicted on the thousands of defenseless families who have been torn apart by this cruel policy. This is not who we are, and I appreciate Congressman Gutiérrez, Father Keating, CEO of Catholic Migration Services and Associate Vicar for Human Services for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, and Councilman Moya for taking the time to speak with my constituents about our commitment to supporting immigrants living in New York City.”

“I am honored to stand with Joe Crowley as we lift our voices to stand up for children,” said Congressman Luis Gutiérrez. “I am also so proud of the way the American people are demanding an end to the cruel family separation policy. Advocates for families and children like Joe and I need the persistent and consistent voice of the public pushing from outside of Congress in order to push our colleagues in both parties to stand up for what is right.”

“It is inhumane to rip children from their parents’ arms; to punish innocent children, just to deter immigration,” said Father Patrick Keating of Catholic Migration Services. “We have all seen the images and heard the audio of poor, defenseless children crying for their parents. There has to be a more just way of dealing with the current immigration crisis. The administration has the authority to stop this immediately so that vulnerable children do not suffer any more psychological trauma. Surely, all people of good will can agree, that separating innocent children from their parents is not the answer.”

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that we ensure immigrants have access to the resources they need,” said NYC Councilman Francisco Moya. “With the White House broadcasting to the world that the U.S. is no longer a beacon of freedom to immigrants but a symbol of cruelty, it’s up to community groups like the Catholic Migration Services, concerned citizens and legislators like Congressmen Joe Crowley and Luis Gutiérrez to prove that the Trump administration does not speak for us. We will continue to extend our hands to those in need and defend their dignity at every turn.”

Congressman Crowley has been one of the strongest advocates for immigrant families since he was first elected to Congress and has led the charge against President Trump’s xenophobic policies. Last week, he participated in a mass demonstration at the headquarters of the Customs and Border Protection agency in Washington, D.C. in opposition to the forced separation of families arriving at the United States border.

Last month, Congressman Crowley introduced a bill with U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to prevent federal immigration enforcement from terrorizing immigrant families living in the United States. Congressman Crowley has also been a vocal opponent of President Trump’s proposed Muslim Ban and invited a Queens-based small business owner, who was the victim of a hate crime, to President Trump’s first joint address to Congress to stand against the hateful rhetoric that fueled his Presidential campaign. Congressman Crowley also introduced legislation last year to provide green cards to undocumented 9/11 first-responders.

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