TUCSON, AZ – Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ) released the following statement responding to the Department of Justice’s request that Judge Dolly Gee reconsider her ruling that the use of family detention centers is serious violation of the longstanding Flores settlement.

“I am appalled to see the Department of Justice argue that we should continue jailing women and children as a means of deterring unauthorized immigration into this country,” Rep. Grijalva said. “While DHS claims that they have made changes to their policies, we cannot continue to jail women and children who express credible concerns of harm in their native country. Our laws are clear: Asylum seekers are afforded a hearing before an immigration judge, and are allowed to live here until that hearing takes place. The Obama administration is flat out wrong on this, and they’re going against the laws and values of our nation.”

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