Illinois Democratic congressman and longtime amnesty advocate Luis Gutierrez has a message for the flood of illegal children crossing the southern border: “Don’t come to America.”
The lawmaker made the remarks during an appearance on Jose Diaz-Balart’s new MSNBC show on Wednesday, with the two discussing how the federal government should deal with the unprecedented number of illegal immigrant children coming into America to escape poverty and violence in Central America.
Gutierrez, who is meeting with President Barack Obama over the issue later on Wednesday, explained that the Hispanic Congressional Caucus will support the White House’s petition to get more funds to quickly resolve asylum hearings for the tens of thousands of illegal children.
But while some reform activists have urged the government to embrace these children and encourage others to follow, Gutierrez struck a different tone.
“We want to send a very clear message to the children: Don’t come to America,” Gutierrez declared. “Most of you will not prevail in your asylum claims, and will simply be deported from the United States. Don’t go through this dangerous, harrowing thing for nothing.”
The Illinois lawmaker also promised the Hispanic Congressional Caucus would “give the president some other alternatives” — a potential reference to the executive orders Gutierrez has long advocated as a way to work around opposition to immigration reform in Congress.