Latino Lawmakers Oppose Funding That Will Expedite Deportations of Immigrant Children

While Congress continues to clash on immigration reform, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus emphatically stated their opposition to the deportation of immigrant children on Friday.

The group asked President Barack Obama to safeguard the children's rights at a press conference in Washington, in which Rep Luis Gutierrez agreed that while he is in favor of the supplementary funds -- nearly $4 billion -- requested by President Obama to address the humanitarian crisis.

The border has seen a record-breaking number of young, unaccompanied immigrants entering borders -- tens of thousands of children from Central America this year alone -- and Gutierrez says he is only supportive of the funding if "we do not short-circuit justice for the children."

"Let me make it absolutely clear: I'm not voting for a supplemental bill that includes changes and abrogates the rights of children as established (under that law)," Gutierrez said.

In order to address the overwhelming problem at the U.S. borders, President Obama is asking Congress for an additional $3.7 billion in supplemental funds. Conservative lawmakers have stated that they will only agree to measures if they include a provision for expedited deportation out of the United States, a clause that Latino lawmakers are voicing opposition to.

The holding facilities in which the children and adults are being processed at are short on resources and are facing extreme overcrowding. President Obama's request aims to address issues at the centers, as well as sending more immigration judges to the border, among other things, according to the White House.

But when it comes to blocking of immigration reform by Republicans in the House of Representatives, Gutierrez said that Obama is now alone, and he must act accordingly.

Since taking office in January 2009, the Obama administration has deported more than 2 million immigrants.