CHILDREN ARE NOT POLITICAL PAWNS

On 2026-02-02, Representative Melanie A. Stansbury (D-NM-1) delivered a floor speech titled "CHILDREN ARE NOT POLITICAL PAWNS" in the House. The speech addressed immigration.

CHILDREN ARE NOT POLITICAL PAWNS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 23 (Monday, February 2, 2026)] [House] [Page H1940] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CHILDREN ARE NOT POLITICAL PAWNS (Ms. STANSBURY asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. STANSBURY. Mr. Speaker, what country is this? Children are not political pawns or political props. Tonight, 5-year- old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father are back in their home in Minnesota after being abducted and taken to detention in Texas, but this never should have happened. A 5-year-old taken from his home and detained in violation of his basic human and constitutional rights is part of an ill-conceived and incompetently implemented policy of daily deportation quotas that is not just incompetent but inhumane. This year, 3,800 children have been abducted across the country and detained. It is shameful and an embarrassment to our country. That is why we must act. It is why I will vote ``no'' and not give a single other penny to DHS. It is why we must impeach Kristi Noem. It is time to act. We will not be complicit. ____________________