PELOSI RELEASES STATEMENT AFTER CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VISIT TO CENTRAL AMERICA AND U.S. BORDER

Speaker Pelosi released the following statement concluding the Congressional delegation’s visit to the countries of the Northern Triangle and to the U.S. Southern border at McAllen, Texas:

“Last night, our bipartisan Congressional delegation concluded our fact-finding mission to the Northern Triangle countries of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras. There we focused on the three pillars of security, prosperity and governance to better understand what drives migration to the U.S. We then traveled to McAllen, Texas.

“Today, our first stop was at La Lomita Chapel in Mission, Texas. At this historic chapel, once threatened by the wall, we were led in Prayer of the Faithful by Father Alfonso Guevara. We prayed for those who are suffering in the Northern Triangle, for those whose dignity is affected by the treatment at the U.S. border, and for those who make decisions to do so with compassion.

“Our delegation next visited the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) station to conduct oversight of funds that were provided in the supplemental appropriations bill to improve the condition of migrants. Next, we toured the Central Processing Center where we had the opportunity to speak to detained migrants about their journey, their treatment and their length of stay.

“Next, our delegation was inspired by our meeting with Sister Norma Pimentel and our tour of the Catholic Charities Humanitarian Respite Center. There, migrant families made presentations about their aspirations in coming to America. Sister Norma and the Center’s many volunteers have created a model for the nation and given hope to newcomers to our country.

“We return with a renewed commitment to work cooperatively with the countries in the region to advance security, prosperity and governance in the Western Hemisphere based on our American values, human rights and respecting the dignity of every person.”