House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she sees comprehensive immigration reform not only as Congress’ official work but also as its moral responsibility as she finishes up a tour of Central America.
Pelosi traveled with a congressional delegation to explore the causes of immigration and possible solutions. The group visited Guatemala and El Salvador, along with migrant detention facilities in McAllen, Texas.
“The reason we are here is because it’s about the people, it’s for the people,” she said. “So we see this not only as our official work, but our moral responsibility.”
The Democratic speaker said Sunday in Texas that she made the trip because she wanted to ensure that the U.S. effectively honors the dignity of the immigrants who enter its borders.
WATCH: ‘You’re scaring the children of America’: Pelosi slams Trump over deportations threats
The Trump administration is trying to restrict applications for asylum in the U.S. from Central America by requiring migrants to apply in Guatemala rather than at the U.S. border.
On Wednesday, U.S. immigration officials raided seven chicken processing plants in Mississippi and arrested 680 mostly Latino workers.
“For them to invade a workplace, divide families, just really undermines the character of America,” Pelosi said. “What the motivation for it is I’ll leave up to others to decide.”
In Morton, about 65 kilometres east of the capital of Jackson, workers filled three buses.
Those arrested were taken to a military hangar to be processed for immigration violations.
In an interview with NBC Meet the Press’ Chuck Todd on Sunday, Calif. Sen., and 2020 presidential candidate Kamala Harris accused the Trump administration of waging a “campaign of terror” on minority communities.
WATCH: Kamala Harris accuses Trump administration of waging ‘campaign of terror’ against minorities
“This administration has directed DHS to conduct these raids as part of what I believe is this administration’s campaign of terror,” she said. “Which is to make whole populations of people afraid to go to work.
“Children are afraid to go to school for fear that when they come home their parents won’t be there.”
-With files from Global News