Miranda chides Huppenthal, will lead NHCSL study on humanitarian efforts for unaccompanied minors

Miranda chides Huppenthal, will lead NHCSL study on humanitarian efforts for unaccompanied minors

STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – Rep. Catherine Miranda, D-Phoenix (District 27), today criticized Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal for using the crisis involving unaccompanied migrant children for political gain.

                                                           

Huppenthal recently called a press conference to announce that he asked for the federal government to pay for the education of unaccompanied migrant children.

“Superintendent Huppenthal made a disappointing choice to target vulnerable children,” Miranda said. “Schools are expected to educate all children, and they should not be forced to determine the immigration status of any student. Teachers and administrators already have a big job. They are there to help our children succeed. Superintendent Huppenthal should know that, so I believe he called this press conference for the sole purpose of promoting himself during an election year.”

Miranda, who on Wednesday was appointed to lead the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators’ investigation into the child migrant situation, said that the unaccompanied migrant children who Huppenthal referenced in his announcement are involved in a humanitarian crisis.

“It is imperative that we recognize that many of these children are suffering and they deserve security and fair treatment,” Miranda said.

She is also the NHCSL’s vice president for public policy and will accompany the NHCSL’s Executive Committee on a tour of a Customs and Border Protection facility in Arizona next month.

“Resolving this situation will take collaboration between our border states and the federal government,” Miranda said. “It’s my intent to ensure that the conversations about solutions are constructive and substantive. There is no room for political theater.”

The NHCSL is the premier national association of Hispanic state legislators working to design and implement policies and procedures that will improve the quality of life for Hispanics throughout the country.  NHCSL was founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to be the most effective voice for the more than 350 Hispanic legislators.  For more information, visit www.nhcsl.org.

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