Noem asked about deporting veterans, families

And can you please tell Mr. Pak why you deported him? --every one of them needs to be enforced. But you understand that many veterans struggle with PTSD. Many veterans struggle with substance abuse challenges. This man took two bullets for our country. Will you-- you have broad authority, by the way, as secretary to issue humanitarian parole, to do deferred action. Will you commit to at least looking at Mr. Pak's case to see if you can help him find a pathway back to this country that he sacrificed so much for? I will absolutely look at his case, but I want you to remember--

Thank you. Madam Secretary, the man behind you-- please stand up, sir-- his name is Jim Brown from Troy, Missouri. He is a Navy combat veteran who served our country in the Gulf War. He's married to a woman named Donna, who came to our country legally from Ireland when she was 11 years old. She has lived here for 48 years. Because of you, Jim's wife, Donna, has been in prison for the last four months. She did not come here illegally, and she has never committed any crime other than writing two bad checks totaling $80 10 years ago. She is currently in prison and facing deportation. Ms. Noem, will you thank Mr. Brown for his service to our country? Thank you, Mr. Brown, for your service to our country. Now, what possible explanation can there be for locking up his wife for four months when she has committed no crime other than writing a couple of bad checks for $80?

Sir, it is not my prerogative, my latitude, or my job to pick and choose which laws in this country get enforced--

You have broad discretion as the secretary. You can issue parole. You can do all kinds of things, but you're choosing not to. Will you commit, again, to just reviewing Donna's case and reuniting this combat veteran with his beloved wife, who also loves this country? I will review the case. Now, Madam Secretary, you've already heard the story of Lance Corporal Alejandro Barranco, the United States Marine veteran who is behind you, who also has two brothers who are United States Marines. Will you thank Lance Corporal Barranco for his service?

Thank you for your service.

His father, Narcisco Barranco, is a landscaper in California who has lived peacefully in our country for 30 years and has no criminal record. Last spring, while he was mowing the lawn at an IHOP, ICE agents tackled him in the street and imprisoned him for weeks, a peaceful, hardworking man who raised three sons to be United States Marines. We need men of that character in this country. Again, as secretary, you have broad discretion. Will you consider Lance Corporal Barranco's father for parole and place to stay in our country owing to the fact that he has contributed to our country by raising three United States Marines? This is an opportunity to remind everybody that every person that's in this country illegally has an opportunity to voluntarily go home and come back the right way.

He raised three United States Marines. He has been living here peacefully, doing his job for 30 years. You have discretion. You are choosing not to use it. Madam Secretary, you promised America that you would go after the worst of the worst. But these people are not the worst of the worst, a Purple Heart recipient, a military spouse, the father of three Marines. And it's not just veterans and military families. You are locking up and deporting children with cancer, mothers with babies in the NICU, United States citizens. You do-- there are many problems with your leadership, but the biggest problem is this. You don't seem to know how to tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys. Go after the bad guys. Go after the terrorists. Do not go after veterans, Marines, children.

The gentleman's time has expired. I yield back.