East Bay Rep. Barbara Lee

CONGRESS | 13TH DISTRICT | Speaking before the Congressional Progress Caucus in Washington Tuesday, Rep. Barbara Lee reacted to harrowing testimony from young undocumented immigrants who have recently fled conflict in their homelands, saying, “I felt ashamed and I ask my colleagues: are you talking about America?”

The U.S.-Mexico border has been inundated this year with nearly 50,000 unaccompanied young people fleeing mostly Central American countries for the United States.

“Is this America, where you have fled and were treated as you were,” Lee said, according the CBS News Washington, D.C. affiliate. “So I want to say to you, this country is a country that stands for liberty and justice for all.”

President Obama recently proposed allocating over $3 billion to alleviate the flood of immigrants at the border. That plan, however, is being stymied by House Republicans. Lee, who is up for re-election this fall, urged for a solution to help the young immigrants reunite with their families in the states.

“So your powerful words and presence and testimony today really have reminded us of what we stand for and who we are as a country,” said Lee. “I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to find a way forward so that you and all of the children will feel safe and secure and reunited with your families. And just know that we as Americans appreciate your voices and communicating with us the tragic realities of what is taking place in your countries.”