Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna confronted a Cato Institute immigration expert during a House committee hearing, accusing the Biden administration of aiding child trafficking at the southern border.
The exchange turned contentious as Luna advocated for family separation to combat human trafficking, while the expert laughed at her assertions.
Luna’s firm stance received support, with many highlighting the difficulty in verifying family relationships among migrants.
Why was @CatoInstitute’s David Bier laughing about child trafficking at the border?
Disgusting display of ignorance. pic.twitter.com/4eek7BEvnk
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) January 17, 2024
“You talk about intentional trauma and that the Trump administration caused intentional trauma by separating these children from their quote, unquote parents,” Luna said.
“The fact is that one, you don’t know that these people are — why are you laughing? Mr. Bier, why are you laughing?”
“Because you said quote, unquote parents as if they really weren’t their parents,” David J. Bier said.
If you’re saying “family” separation is bad thing, you’re a part of the problem. I make no apologies. Educate yourself and stop supporting a President that is part of the problem. pic.twitter.com/nCvz0d4Ko7
— Anna Paulina Luna (@realannapaulina) January 17, 2024
“You have no idea. Not only have you not been to the border…,” Luna began.
“I do have an idea!” Bier cut in.
“Hold on, I’m not done. I’m not done. You have no idea if these people are their intentional parents or not,” she said. “You have no idea. That’s exactly why we do family separation!” she said.
“We do,” Bier said.
“Really? Are you psychic? Have you won the lotto, Mr. Bier? I don’t think you have. … The reason why we want family separation until we can confirm they are the actual biological parents …” Luna said.
“You want family separation?” Bier added, saying, “… is because these kids are being trafficked.”
“What you did was destructive,” Luna pressed.
“If you’re saying ‘family’ separation is bad thing, you’re a part of the problem. I make no apologies. Educate yourself and stop supporting a President that is part of the problem,” she wrote.
This comes amid concerns that children are being exploited to gain entry into the country, especially since DNA testing to verify family relationships has been discontinued by the Biden administration.
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