Floor SpeechNeutral2026-04-27

DEMANDING JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW FOR IMMIGRATION

Immigration

Context

On 2026-04-27, Representative Maxine Dexter (D-OR-3) delivered a floor speech titled "DEMANDING JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW FOR IMMIGRATION" in the House. The speech addressed immigration.

Full Text

DEMANDING JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW FOR IMMIGRATION

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026)] [House] [Page H3119] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DEMANDING JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW FOR IMMIGRATION (Ms. DEXTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, all morning, my team has been sorting through more than 60 privacy release forms I received from people imprisoned at Dilley. I spent most of my oversight visit Saturday hearing from people who, by any measure of fairness or common sense, should not be locked up. They were green card holders, asylum seekers, people with some level of legal protection, people without criminal records, and children who have been there for months in a direct violation of Federal law. I went room to room, helping people in detention fill out privacy releases so their Members of Congress could advocate for them because the system, as it stands, is not delivering justice reliably without intervention. That should outrage all of us. Families should not have to rely on a chance encounter with a Member of Congress to access basic due process. I am angry because this cruelty is intentional. We must demand justice: an immigration system that follows the rule of law, a system that doesn't imprison children, a system that keeps families together, a system that guarantees access to due justice abiding by the law. That is what I will keep fighting for. ____________________

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DEMANDING JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW FOR IMMIGRATION Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 73 (Monday, April 27, 2026)] [House] [Page H3119] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] DEMANDING JUSTICE AND RULE OF LAW FOR IMMIGRATION (Ms. DEXTER asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. DEXTER. Mr. Speaker, all morning, my team has been sorting through more than 60 privacy release forms I received from people imprisoned at Dilley. I spent most of my oversight visit Saturday hearing from people who, by any measure of fairness or common sense, should not be locked up. They were green card holders, asylum seekers, people with some level of legal protection, people without criminal records, and children who have been there for months in a direct violation of Federal law. I went room to room, helping people in detention fill out privacy releases so their Members of Congress could advocate for them because the system, as it stands, is not delivering justice reliably without intervention. That should outrage all of us. Families should not have to rely on a chance encounter with a Member of Congress to access basic due process. I am angry because this cruelty is intentional. We must demand justice: an immigration system that follows the rule of law, a system that doesn't imprison children, a system that keeps families together, a system that guarantees access to due justice abiding by the law. That is what I will keep fighting for. ____________________