Lawmaker Tells Parents of Slain Students Congress Has Other Priorities

A Democratic lawmaker told parents of children killed by illegal immigrants that Congress has other priorities during a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. The hearing examined sanctuary city policies in Illinois and California and featured testimony from victims' families.

One mother stated that she did not understand why only Republican members appeared concerned about American children.

The lawmaker opened remarks by offering condolences to the parents and acknowledged their loss. The same lawmaker then noted that the hearing marked the fourth time the committee had addressed sanctuary cities and said other issues could be addressed instead.

The mother of an 18-year-old student fatally shot by an illegal immigrant responded that the lawmaker's condolences were followed by the word "but," adding there is no "but" when a child is in a coffin. She said she wanted lawmakers to explain why illegal immigrants are more important than her daughter.

The hearing reviewed how sanctuary policies affect communities by limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Parents present questioned why Democratic members focused on other immigration issues rather than the impact of sanctuary policies on public safety.