Nanette Barragán

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today because I am fired up. I am angry about the decision that the President made today on DACA. I want to thank the thousands of people who have risen up across this country--from Houston, to Philly, to Los Angeles, to Denver--to say that they are going to have their voices heard. They need to continue to sound that voice. What about the promise the government made to these young people that said: If you come forward and come out of the shadows, we are going to protect your information? What about that promise? I want every DREAMer to know that I stand with them and that I am going to fight like hell here in Congress to make sure that we protect them and to make sure that we honor the promise that we made. These people are our doctors, our teachers, our neighbors, and, in my case, my cousin. I call on Congress and my colleagues across the aisle who have been speaking up on this issue in support of DACA protections to do more than speak, and to act--to act now and to act fast.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to the security minibus. I actually happen to sit on the Homeland Security Subcommittee, and I know what it is like to make sure that national security is our number one priority. I also happen to know that I have heard testimony from experts, and I have heard bipartisan opposition to this wall in my committee. Because when we hear from experts, they tell us a wall is not going to stop a terrorist, and they tell us that the drug cartels are not going to be stopped either, they are just going to build a tunnel under the wall. So when you talk about homeland security, I know exactly what you are talking about. The reality is that this $1.6 billion is just a waste of taxpayer dollars. It is a dubious political promise that was made, and now the American people are being asked to foot the bill. Let me repeat. I sit on Homeland Security. The border on the south is not our number one terrorist target. We know that what is there now is already an existing wall. We already have fencing there. Some of the areas we are talking about are even just areas in the Rio Grande, where it is not going to make the biggest difference. If we are going to secure our borders, we could spend money on technology and other areas, or we could secure our borders by putting more money into port security, where there is a greater threat of terrorism. This is just another way to bully Congress into funding a border wall that the majority of people don't want. I hope that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle will not be bullied by this because it is being packaged in with other bills that would otherwise get passed without the partisanship.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support H.R. 2825. Mr. Speaker, first I want to thank my colleagues on the Homeland Security Committee for adopting my amendment to provide $45 million to reimburse local law enforcement at airports. There has been an increase in the tax at airports, including at my home airport of LAX, and this funding is vital to keeping our airports secure and our economy moving. Both sides compromised to move this bill forward, and the programs in it are critical to the security of our ports, our borders, and our homeland. Going forward, we can do more to add more funding at the ports. I represent America's port, the Port of Los Angeles. Our ports are the Nation's largest border crossings, so we must invest in funding security at the ports. The port security grants I proposed in my committee are crucial to the cyber and physical safety programs at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and without increased funding, they have been forced to stop several innovative and important projects. I will continue to fight for increased port security funding. I am determined to fill the staffing and funding gaps in maritime security and give our ports what they need to be safe and efficient. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this reauthorization, but we have more work to do.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to the ``Smoggy Skies Act,'' a bill that would effectively gut the Clean Water Act. I represent one of the most heavily polluted districts in California. As a matter of fact, sometimes kids in my district walk around with inhalers around their necks. When I was a kid, my father had a home next to the freeway, and I first thought it was a great place to live because it was conveniently by the freeway, and what I later learned about air pollution and smog and the ozone layer, I knew it was not a good thing. When I see kids in my district walk around with inhalers, it just breaks my heart. Every day, many of my constituents, people of color and low income, are surrounded by oil refineries, major highways, and industrial activities. These activities generate ozone pollution, the key ingredient for smog. It is dangerous. It is deadly. Since 1970, the Clean Air Act has reduced the ozone in our air, protecting Americans against health problems, including asthma and heart attacks, shortness of breath, low birth weight, and premature death. Clean air is a good investment. The benefits of a healthy environment pay off in worker productivity and longevity. Unhealthy people can't work or go to school, which is also a problem in my district where only 10 percent of students go on to college. Oftentimes, it is a cycle. They are outside, they breathe in the dirty air, they get sick, they have asthma, they have to go to the doctor, and they miss school. That is only contributing to the low graduation rates that we are seeing happen in my district. Smog is not only harmful to health, I think it is harmful especially in young children, in our seniors, and in some of our most vulnerable communities. Over a third of the U.S. population lives in areas with unhealthy ozone levels--areas that would have to clean up the air under the new and improved 2015 ozone standards. The ``Smoggy Skies Act'' is the latest in a series of congressional attempts to gut the Clean Air Act and block or delay lifesaving standards and protection. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on H.R. 806, the ``Smoggy Skies Act.''

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, the new version of the Senate Republican healthcare bill should be tossed in the trash. No amendment will fix the massive damage it will cause to California and the entire country. Women, seniors, and low-income families across the country are being threatened. TrumpCare threatens to shut down hospitals in my district, which would leave many of my constituents without access to critical healthcare services. People like Doreen from Los Angeles County, will be forced to fight for their lives. Doreen was in remission from ovarian cancer in 2010, when she successfully signed up to receive coverage through the Affordable Care Act, even though she had a preexisting condition. Now she is scared for her life as TrumpCare threatens to take away the healthcare she needs to stay cancer free. I stand up for ``fighters,'' ``luchadoras'' like Doreen--a woman, senior, and cancer survivor--who will be left helpless by TrumpCare. Again, the Senate Republican healthcare bill should be tossed in the trash.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1215 and to express my extreme concerns with this bill. I am from California, and I am an attorney, and I can tell you that this bill goes beyond medical malpractice. It goes way beyond that. It includes cases involving unsafe drugs and nursing home abuse and neglect. That is not happening in California. If passed, it would prevent cases where seniors have endured tragic deaths and injuries, like an 88-year-old California woman who was sexually assaulted by her nursing assistant after she suffered a stroke, resulting in lifelong mental and physical pain. Over 80 senior and healthcare groups, including the American Association for Justice and the California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, have come out against this bill. They recognize that we need to protect our vulnerable seniors. Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the National Citizenship Day of Action on June 17. I am a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, but I am also the proud daughter of immigrants from Mexico. I understand how important citizenship is to families. When I was young, I remember watching my mother study for the exam. I would help ask her questions and make sure that she knew the history of this country so that she could pass, and I remember the day that she went in to take her exam and passed. It was a proud moment for our family. June 17 is a day to encourage not just our colleagues to support initiatives to make the citizenship process more accessible to millions of people who are pursuing the American Dream but also to go into communities and educate them about the importance of citizenship. 8.8 million people are eligible to become citizens but have not yet begun the process, and 3.7 million of those are eligible for citizenship fee waivers. Becoming a citizen can cost over $700, and there are significant language and access barriers for those who apply. I know my aunt had to take it five times because her English wasn't good enough, and it took her some time. But I encourage those who can, to do it, to make sure that they can because legal permanent residents face an uphill battle to citizenship. My father was one who actually never became a citizen. My father was older, so I never really had an opportunity to ask him why he didn't do it, but I see today the importance of it, especially in a day where immigrants are under attack, where more and more people who think they have a right to be here and have status here may do something that causes them to become deportable. It is so very important for people, who can become citizens, to take that opportunity to do it. It is really a gateway to voting, to employment, receiving benefits, and investing in our family's future. Citizens receive higher wages, greater economic opportunity, and full access to the equal rights that are fundamental to becoming an American. We should be promoting programs to ensure that these immigrants have the skills and the resources they need to learn, succeed, and give back to the communities they call home. Organizations like the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in Los Angeles are working hard to make citizenship more attainable for everyone by providing free citizenship services. Again, I urge my colleagues to support these efforts on Saturday, June 17. Becoming a citizen is just the beginning of the American Dream. Recognizing Yesterday's Horrific Incident

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I also want to take a moment to recognize what occurred yesterday. I actually play for the men's baseball team on the Democratic side. I was practicing when we were called in and got word of the horrific news. And immediately, about 5 minutes after hearing the initial news of just a shooting, we heard that a Member, one of ours, was shot, and we immediately went into prayer. And I have to take a moment to send my prayers to those who were impacted because it is a big group, but also those who were shot, those who were on the field. Our hearts and prayers go out to Representative Steve Scalise, Matt Mika, Zack Barth, and the courageous actions of the Capitol Police, Crystal Griner and David Bailey. Every day that I come to the Capitol, I see the men and women who serve, who are there to protect us, who are there to make sure to keep us safe, and sometimes we take it for granted. So I wanted to take a moment to thank them all for their service. Tonight is the game at Nationals baseball field. I encourage everybody to come out. There couldn't be a better reason. It is for charity, to really play tonight for our heroes, to play for a good cause. It would be a great thing to see a big showing. Last night, we had a bipartisan dinner where we had the two coaches from both sides of the aisle come out. Again, I want to stress this is not a partisan issue at all. This is a time where we come together, and we should remain united. It was a tough day yesterday for me and for many of us here on the Hill. Come out and show your support. We would love to see you there.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the San Pedro High School girls softball team who late last month reclaimed their crown as L.A. City Section Division I champions. On the night of Friday, May 19, the Pirates won their first city title in 8 years and 17th overall. Star pitcher Cindy Robles persevered through illness to throw a four-hitter with three strikeouts, illustrating her toughness after coming down with a 102-degree fever earlier in the day. Her teammates were behind her every step of the way, always making the key play at the necessary moment. By rallying together and continually picking each other up, the Pirates girls softball team represents the true spirit of California's 44th Congressional District. No matter what adversity we might face individually, our community always finds a way to rally together in pursuit of our common goals. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to these strong young women and all they represent.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in opposition to the ``Wrong'' CHOICE Act. This bill has a hidden provision that strips away oversight for payday lenders. Payday lenders are like loan sharks, charging upwards of 400 percent interest on loans. It is outrageous. They prey on vulnerable, low- income borrowers who are already struggling to get by. That is how Yesenia from California got trapped in a cycle of debt. Her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and lost her job, so Yesenia had to take out a loan just to buy food. The payday lender garnished her wages and charged sky-high interest rates and fees. She ended up paying back thousands more than she borrowed, all because she needed food for her and her mother. Let's protect our workers and families. Let's not take away oversight of this abusive loan industry. I urge my colleagues to oppose H.R. 10. It is the wrong choice.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, veterans shouldn't have to come home in a body bag to be recognized as Americans. Last weekend, I went, along with some of my colleagues, to Tijuana, Mexico, where we visited veterans who have served this country, who have picked up a weapon to go and fight in war to protect our freedoms. They survived, came home, and some of them were deported. Do you know that if you go and you fight overseas and you are not a citizen and you die, you get automatic citizenship? One of those people we saw this weekend is my constituent, Hector Barajas, from Compton. This is a photo of him. He was proudly still wearing his uniform. He was deported to Mexico after serving 5\1/2\ years in the U.S. Army, receiving two commendations. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 1405, which would allow noncitizen veterans who have been deported to come home and come back to the United States. I hope that he gets to come back, too.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Patricia Broughton, a dedicated public servant who is retiring after serving five members of Congress in the Los Angeles Harbor Region. This week is Patricia's last week as my San Pedro caseworker. I like to call her a miracle worker. Patricia is retiring after a 29 year long distinguished career advocating for the interests of constituents and our community. I extend my sincerest appreciation to her for her decades of dedicated service to the Los Angeles Harbor Region and our nation. Patricia was born in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. She spent her formative years in Japan and returned to the United States in 1963. After her studies, she moved to Long Beach, California, and began her congressional career in 1989. Over the years, Patricia has developed a reputation in the Los Angeles Harbor Region as a champion for constituents. My predecessors-- including former Representatives Janice Hahn, Jane Harman, the late Steve Horn, and the late Glen Anderson--and I have received countless letters of appreciation from those whose lives were positively impacted by Patricia, and in 2011 the Wilmington Coordinating Council awarded her their ``Outstanding Civil Servant'' award. As I mentioned, Patricia is a miracle-worker, and has handled virtually every type of case that is referred to a congressional office. She has solved complex Social Security and Medicare claims for seniors, helped disabled veterans who were not receiving their earned disability checks, and assisted those who had trouble with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Internal Revenue Service. Patricia has been a voice for those in need and a source of comfort for those trapped in the bureaucratic maze that is the federal government. For example, Patricia successfully helped a Vietnam veteran get compensation with the Department of Veterans Affairs for a $200,000 claim. Among her many other responsibilities and accomplishments include organizing workshops for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals beneficiaries, and resolving thousands of casework files. Patricia is also devoted to the humane treatment of animals. She heroically rescued a dog that was hit by a car and abandoned in front of my predecessor's district office, taking the injured dog home and making it a part of her family. Her coworkers and I have enjoyed working with her and will miss her warm heart and signature elegance. Her compassion, persistence, and dedication have left a lasting mark on thousands of residents in my district and the Los Angeles Harbor Region. I am sure that I speak for the dozens of people who have worked with Patricia throughout her career in congratulating her upon her retirement and extending our heartfelt gratitude for her remarkable dedication to public service.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize National Maritime Day. Since America's founding, our men and women who serve as mariners have dedicated themselves to protecting our economy and our interests at home and abroad. Whether it be through ensuring the delivery of goods, supporting us during times of peace, or standing up during times of war, the maritime industry has held strong. The Port of Los Angeles, which I am proud to represent, has made countless contributions not only to California but to every other congressional district. As a member of the Committee on Homeland Security, I work to ensure the safety and security of the Port of Los Angeles so that it can continue to serve as America's port. Along with the Port of Long Beach, the ports employ twice as many men and women as the Hollywood entertainment industry. Today, I am proud to honor those men and women who serve and have served as U.S. merchant mariners. I ask that we continue to support the maritime industry today, and every day.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Patricia Broughton, my caseworker in San Pedro, California, who is retiring after her distinguished career in public service. Patricia has served for 32 years, and has served five Members of Congress, including me. She also served former Representatives Janice Hahn, Jane Harman, the late Steve Horn, the late Glenn Anderson, and then myself. Patricia isn't just a caseworker, she is a miracle worker. She has handled virtually every type of case that is referred to a congressional office. Patricia has resolved Social Security and Medicare claims for seniors, helped disabled veterans who weren't receiving their veterans' disability checks, and assisted those who had trouble with the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the IRS. Patricia has been an advocate for the frustrated, and a source of comfort for those tangled up in the Federal Government's bureaucracy. I wish Patricia the best in her well-deserved retirement from public service.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, after the hottest recorded year in history, Donald Trump and his Environmental Destruction Agency under Administrator Scott Pruitt will undo more than a decade's worth of progress fighting climate change and protecting public health by seeking to eliminate the Clean Power Plan as we know it. The Clean Power Plan which seeks to reduce carbon pollution from fossil-fueled power plants by more than 30 percent, was the biggest action the United States had ever taken to reduce carbon pollution, the main source driving climate change. It was also the lynchpin of the Paris Climate Agreement which brought countries from all over the world together for the first time to combat climate change. By weakening the Clean Power Plan and retreating as the world's leader in combating climate change, the Trump Administration is giving away the ever-growing clean energy economy to China. Contrary to President Trump's assertions, these actions will not bring back coal-mining jobs in Appalachia as natural gas continues to be more economically competitive than coal, the main reason for coal's demise. The climate gap, the sometimes hidden and often-unequal impact of climate change on people of color and the poor, is real and only getting worse. Climate change disproportionately impacts minority and low-income communities like those in my district, especially with respect to heat waves, air quality and extreme weather events. Low-income and minority communities in the inner city are more susceptible to the ``heat island'' effect where temperatures are magnified by concrete and asphalt. Reports have shown that African Americans living in Los Angeles are twice as likely to die as other Angelenos during a heat wave. One of my top priorities is the issue of environmental justice-- people should not breathe dirtier air simply because of their income or what they look like. As a United States Congresswoman for California's 44th congressional district, I will do everything I can to ensure clean air, water and lands for vulnerable populations.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Chair, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 170.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to stand in solidarity on a Day Without a Woman. You will see women in red today and men with red ties in honor of today. It is 2017 and we still need a Day Without a Woman to remind this administration and Republicans in Congress that women deserve equal pay and access to affordable health care. Just yesterday, the assault on women continued with the GOP's plan to pay more for less in healthcare legislation that will restrict a woman's right to comprehensive healthcare coverage. The Republican bill also defunds Planned Parenthood. Women with nowhere else to turn will lose access to essential preventative care and affordable contraception. This is very personal for me. When I was growing up, we were poor. I had a sister that got pregnant at 15 and another one that got pregnant at 16. I, myself, had a condition that required me to get on a contraceptive to deal with pain that I had. I had nowhere to turn. I, myself, had to go to a clinic that saw me on a sliding scale; otherwise, I would have had nowhere to go. The fact that we are facing the threat of losing this today for women and preventive care is beyond incomprehensible to me and scary. On this day today, without a woman, I also think about women, women like Rosa Parks, the mothers, the daughters and grandchildren that took part in the Women's March on January 21, women at the forefront of every fight for equality. I stand today with women like my mother, Teresa, an immigrant from Mexico, who raised a large family and who took care of my father when he was sick and continues to support me today. I stand today to fight for equal pay for equal work because women-- and Latinas in particular--are paid only 54 cents for every $1 paid to White men. I fight in Congress for American families so that they have economic stability and can make ends meet and set their kids off to a brighter future. I will continue to fight with my sisters in Congress for health care, for immigration, and for human rights. All of these are women's rights.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I was unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on roll call No. 134. Stated against:

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my guest for tonight's joint session of Congress. Roque Pech is a constituent of mine from California's 44th District. He lives in Wilmington. He came to this country at the age of 3 years old. His parents were from Mexico, coming here for a better life for their kids. His parents were hardworking, getting odd jobs, blue-collar workers, really trying to make it. Now, Roque is a beneficiary of DACA. He is a DREAMer; somebody who was looking forward to going to college, was able to go to undergrad and even go to graduate school, where he studied education. He is one of the many faces of DREAMers whom our country has benefited from DACA. As a teacher, he helps other students who are struggling in math. He is a sixth grade teacher who looks into the eyes of kids who dream big, who want to make it, and he instills in them some hope. Tonight, Roque will be up in this gallery for the first time, looking down on a President who has been demeaning immigrants, who hasn't seen the value of what immigrants provide to this country. Now, this is very personal for me. My parents are also immigrants from Mexico. They came here because they wanted a better life for their kids. And I beat the odds. I got a piece of the American Dream, and now I fight for those to make sure that others have the same opportunity. Roque has been spared from the deportations. He is an example of immigrants that continue to contribute to our country. He also sits on the Wilmington Neighborhood Council, where he provides input and is active in the community. Because of DACA, hundreds of kids are benefiting from him being a teacher. I believe we continue to need comprehensive immigration reform to fix our broken immigration system. It is the best answer. Until then, I am going to continue to fight to protect hardworking families and immigrants who continue to provide value, DREAMers like Roque, who only know the United States as their home. He is American in every way.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as we close out Black History Month. Last night at the Oscars, we saw ``Moonlight'' win the Best Picture, which was a real milestone for Black filmmakers. We also saw Viola Davis, the first African-American woman to win an Oscar, an Emmy, and a Tony. We have come a long way since the civil rights era. As a kid in school, I was intrigued by the period. It is when I first learned about standing up, fighting for people, for equality against racial discrimination, and injustices. The struggle is real, and it continues today. I am looking forward this weekend to going with one of my civil rights heroes, Congressman John Lewis, on a Faith and Politics trip to Selma, Montgomery, and Birmingham. May we learn from history to end the hatred, divisions, and the injustices that continue.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to echo concerns by my colleagues. I am concerned, but not surprised, about the growing revelations from the intelligence community of the Trump campaign's contact with Russian officials. Russia's involvement in our elections undermines American democracy. General Flynn's resignation is no substitute for answers to grave concerns and questions over President Trump's involvement in secret communications with the Russians and Vladimir Putin's hand in our elections. I believe that this is just the tip of the iceberg. This is not just about leakers, but this is about the Trump-Russia ties. We need a full, bipartisan investigation. It is our duty.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Congressman Mike Johnson from Louisiana, for helping coordinate this effort. When I got here to Washington for orientation, I will never forget very early on, one of my colleagues, Congressman Jodey Arrington from Texas, came up to me and said: I want to introduce myself. And he did. He was the first Republican that came up to me and said: I want to get to know you on a personal level. I want to be your friend because we are going to be working together. I have to tell you how impressed I was that somebody was reaching out across the aisle because they wanted to develop a personal relationship, knowing that we would be able to work together. Later on, I got to meet the rest of my colleagues at Harvard, where they have a bipartisan program that is a wonderful program and gives you an opportunity to help build these relationships, which I think is so important, especially today in our time. We just got off one of the ugliest elections in history where it really felt as if civility disappeared. Today it sometimes still feels that way, which is why I think this is such an important effort. As Members of Congress, we need to set an example of statesmanship for younger generations of Americans to follow. We must remember that every person should be respected. Somebody yesterday said something that really struck a chord. It is not that we need to agree on everything or that we need to agree all the time, but we need to learn to disagree better.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, last Saturday night, I was at Los Angeles International Airport. I went out to show unity and stand with those that stand against this ban. I think it is wrong. I think it is unconstitutional and unAmerican. But what I saw there was startling. I want to tell you the story of Fatema. Fatema is a legal permanent resident. She got a notice in the mail that she was about to be sworn in to become a U.S. citizen on February 13. She was traveling with her 1-year-old son who is an American citizen. She was the victim and was being detained. Reports from lawyers on the ground were that she was being pressured to sign away her right to be a legal permanent resident right after they had sent somebody back, a student, who had a visa to be here. I was there, along with one of my colleagues, Judy Chu, fighting, trying to get to the detainee to make sure that she had access to an attorney. I asked to go to CBC, the Customs and Border Protection. Conveniently, they were shut down. They had closed the office. So I asked somebody: Can you walk me down to the arrivals so I could talk to somebody? They wouldn't do it. I got a telephone number. I called. None of my questions were answered. They wouldn't answer a single question: Were any of my constituents being detained? Could I get a lawyer to somebody? They wouldn't even say yes or no. All I was told was I had to call this Washington, D.C., number--a 202 number. Now, it was Saturday night. It was 7 p.m. on the Pacific Coast. I called. I left a message, asking for a return call. I didn't get one. I demanded, with my colleague, that we get a briefing privately, behind closed doors, outside the press. We didn't get one. As a matter of fact, when I called back, I asked: Who is your manager? Who are you answering to? She said: The President. Oh. You have talked to Donald Trump? It was really disturbing. And then she hung up on me--and I am a Member of the United States Congress. I couldn't get any answers to try to protect the very constituents that we fight for, the constituents whom we represent. It was very disturbing. These immigration orders are unsettling, but they are also a disservice to the Customs and Border Protection when you don't give a heads-up, when you don't have a warning on how things are going to be carried out. This led to mass confusion not just at LAX, but at airports across the country. I hear often that this affected just a small number of travelers, but it affected a lot more than that. We saw the masses of people coming out. We saw lawyers who had to go down there and give their time. A shout-out to the ACLU and to the attorneys at public counsel and to so many other attorneys who went down there and gave their evenings, their time, and who have been standing up and fighting for people in court to get people to come back. Just today, at Los Angeles International Airport, there was a press conference held to welcome back the one person who was allowed to come back--an Iranian citizen who was deported and sent back, who was forcibly removed on Friday night even though he had a legal right to be here. Hopefully we are going to hear more of these stories, but it shouldn't be that way. People should not show up at the airport and get on a flight in a country in which they have a right to be just to have to turn around and be sent back after being detained for hours on end. This isn't right. As a Member of Congress, I will work to ensure that the Federal Government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of one's national origin or faith.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to bring up H.R. 724, which would rescind President Trump's refugee ban and stop the separation of families like that of the Iranian professional whose wife is trapped in Iran and who is considering leaving the United States because of it.

Ms. BARRAGAN

Ms. BARRAGAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because of what we saw happening this weekend. President Trump's executive order is unconstitutional, un-American, and unlawful. I myself went to Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night, and what I saw was shocking to me. I saw Fatema coming in from an airline--a legal, permanent resident in this country, who came with her 1-year-old son who is an American citizen--being detained with the threat of being deported and pressured to sign to give up her right to be a legal permanent resident. I was fighting to get to her, to make sure she had legal counsel, to make sure that she had that opportunity, and I was unsuccessful. Despite me and another Member being there, the Customs and Border Protection wouldn't even talk to us. They wouldn't give us a briefing. They merely hung up on us. Mr. Speaker, this is wrong. This provision is discriminatory based on religion and nationality. This did not only affect a small number of travelers; this affected families; this affected lawyers and volunteers who came out in the masses. I hope the President will see. I will work to ensure the Federal Government obeys the Constitution, respects our history as a nation of immigrants, and does not unlawfully target anyone because of their national origin or faith.