Washington, DC –U.S.Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), Mike Coffman (R-CO), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), and Kathleen Rice (D-NY) released a statement following their bipartisan inspection of the Tornillo Detention Center last weekend.

“The American people demand and deserve representatives from both political parties who can work together to get things done.  Our bipartisan visit last weekend to the Tornillo Detention Facility and the U.S. Border in El Paso, Texas was carried out with this fact at the forefront of our minds. 

Our visit was also animated by a belief in bedrock ideals – not Red State ideals or Blue State ideals but American ideals dedicated to promoting the security of our homeland, respecting the rule of law, and treating all people with compassion.

We witnessed the concerns our nation faces from a porous border and a broken immigration system. We firmly oppose the most recent policy of separating our children from their families—this policy runs counter to our American ideals.  Instead of a bad policy, poorly executed, we need a bipartisan immigration overhaul that secures our borders, respects the rule of law, and protects the dignity of children brought here through no fault of their own. We must act to ensure separated families are reunited. We must ensure U.S. Border Patrol and other hardworking law enforcement officials have the resources and authorities necessary to solve this complicated problem.

And, finally, we believe in working tirelessly, in working together, to get all this done.”

The congressional delegation inspected the Tornillo UAC Facility with officials from the Department of Health and Human Services. The delegation was briefed by local leadership from both the U.S. Border Patrol (enforcement between the ports of entry) and the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (operations at the ports of entry).

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