BREAKING: House Republicans Vote to Risk Our National Security & Further Cement Themselves as the Anti-Immigrant Party

Speaker Boehner and the House Republican leadership did it: they voted to risk our country's national security by caving into the demands of the most extreme, right-wing Tea Party Members and callously passed anti-immigrant, mass deportation amendments that:

• Terminate President Obama's bold immigration executive action, tearing apart millions of hard working families, sending thousands of kids to foster care, and forcing our immigration authorities to divert precious resources away from deporting felons and threats to national security; and,
• Heartlessly deport our nation's aspiring Americans – DREAMers.

Editorials and top Republicans, not too long ago, urged Speaker Boehner and House Republicans to "get a grip" over President Obama's immigration action and pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill – but they've now done the opposite.  Prominent faith, labor and immigration advocacy groups pleaded Republicans to build upon the President's first, bold move and drop their aggressive work of tearing families apart and jeopardizing the safety of our people – but they've now snubbed their appeals.

With this toxic, callous and irresponsible violation of our values and who we are as a country, a nation of immigrants, the Republican Party sent Latino and immigrant families everywhere a message: you do not belong here; we don't want you here.  As Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said: "Why don't we live up to our responsibilities in a bipartisan way here to protect and defend the American people, to live up to the character of our country, which is a nation of immigrants?"  

Our aspiring Americans deserve better than outright demeaning and simply reckless GOP politics.  Our country does not deserve a Republican Congress that fails to uphold the oath of office and protect our homeland.  We must and should do better.