Rep. Meeks Issues Statement on Voting Against GOP ICE Resolution

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks issued the following statement concerning the GOP Resolution regarding Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and his vote opposing it:

"My strong respect for all those in law enforcement in our country who put their lives on the line to keep us safe has nothing to do with my no vote on the Republican resolution, which was a shameful ploy. Law enforcement should never be used as pawns in a political game. The Resolution brought to the floor for a vote yesterday represents everything disdainful in the GOP's rhetoric on immigration. Overwhelmingly of focus in the Resolution is language which portrays immigrants as MS-13 criminals, and echoes the hateful rhetoric used by President Trump. This was not a Resolution honoring the work of ICE officers, this was thinly-veiled racism meant to dehumanize immigrants and distract from the Trump administration's horrifying policy of separating children from their parents. It is no different, in my mind, from a resolution that would claim to honor police officers, but instead go to great lengths to generalize African Americans as violent felons.

"Furthermore, no federal agency is beyond review and oversight. Congress should serve as a check on the other branches of government, and this Resolution goes too far in the direction of abdicating that responsibility.

"This political stunt is a distraction from the disaster at our border, a humanitarian crisis which this President has caused and refused to fix. Rather than disavow the values which have always defined our nation, Republicans should reaffirm the United States' moral authority to the world by working with Democrats to find constructive solutions."

###