Suozzi criticized by activists for not doing enough to help immigrant children
Posted: Updated:Protesters gathered at a town hall meeting held by Congressman Tom Suozzi over what they say is a lack of action to help immigrant families.
They say Suozzi allowed a host of human rights protections to be eliminated from a House version of a border aid bill.
"We want our representative in Congress to call this out and make sure that now something is done to protect these children and stop treating them as criminals," says Patty Pastor of Manhasset.
Suozzi denies the protestors' claims. He says he was in favor of the bill with humanitarian protections but the House was forced to take up the Senate bill, which did not include those provisions.
Suozzi said the vote came as legislators were eager to get out of Washington D.C. for the Fourth of July recess. Eventually, lawmakers cleared a $4.6 million emergency aid package.
The congressman says if they didn't, the children at the border wouldn't have the aid they need.
"We needed to pass something before people left town," Suozzi said. "This didn't start yesterday. This has been going on for 60 days. We needed to do something to stem the flow of the suffering that was going on."
Some protesters say they are heading to the border this week to document conditions to keep the pressure on Congress to protect the children.
Power & PoliticsMore>>
Power & Politics: Riverhead Supervisor-Elect Yvette Aguiar
Power & Politics: Riverhead Supervisor-Elect Yvette Aguiar
Riverhead Supervisor-Elect Yvette Aguiar, a retired NYPD counterterrorism sergeant and Long Island's first Hispanic supervisor, stopped by the News 12 Long Island studio to answer viewer questions following her election.Riverhead Supervisor-Elect Yvette Aguiar, a retired NYPD counterterrorism sergeant and Long Island's first Hispanic supervisor, stopped by the News 12 Long Island studio to answer viewer questions following her election.Sen. Carlucci introduces bill to tax online companies for using people’s personal data
Sen. Carlucci introduces bill to tax online companies for using people’s personal data
State Sen. David Carlucci has introduced a bill in Albany that would tax online companies for using your personal data.State Sen. David Carlucci has introduced a bill in Albany that would tax online companies for using your personal data.Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg officially announces presidential bid
Former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg officially announces presidential bid
The first ad is set to hit more than 100 markets across the nation today for Michael Bloomberg.The first ad is set to hit more than 100 markets across the nation today for Michael Bloomberg.Power & Politics: The Impeachment Inquiry
Power & Politics: The Impeachment Inquiry
Political strategist Mike Dawidziak and Hofstra University Constitutional Law professor Julian Ku join News 12's Stone Grissom to dissect impeachment and the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.Political strategist Mike Dawidziak and Hofstra University Constitutional Law professor Julian Ku join News 12's Stone Grissom to dissect impeachment and the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump.Town of Babylon supervisor testifies at Spota, McPartland trial
Town of Babylon supervisor testifies at Spota, McPartland trial
Jurors in the Thomas Spota/Christopher McPartland obstruction of justice trial heard Monday from Democratic Party boss Richard Schaffer, who is also the Town of Babylon supervisor and a longtime friend of the former Suffolk DA.Jurors in the Thomas Spota/Christopher McPartland obstruction of justice trial heard Monday from Democratic Party boss Richard Schaffer, who is also the Town of Babylon supervisor and a longtime friend of the former Suffolk DA.
NewsMore>>
Detectives: Wyandanch woman tried to steal from TGI Fridays' ‘all you can eat’
Detectives: Wyandanch woman tried to steal from TGI Fridays' ‘all you can eat’
A Wyandanch woman is accused of trying to steal food from a TGI Friday's in Massapequa.A Wyandanch woman is accused of trying to steal food from a TGI Friday's in Massapequa.Police: Student approached by stranger outside Mepham High School
Police: Student approached by stranger outside Mepham High School
Police say a man approached a female student around 9 a.m. Thursday just outside of the school on Stewart Avenue and Leonard Street.Police say a man approached a female student around 9 a.m. Thursday just outside of the school on Stewart Avenue and Leonard Street.What's Going On: Dec. 6-8
What's Going On: Dec. 6-8
Check out what's going on around Long Island this weekend.Check out what's going on around Long Island this weekend.Kids Corner Events: Dec. 6-12
Kids Corner Events: Dec. 6-12
Here are some great events to take your kids to this weekend.Here are some great events to take your kids to this weekend.'I'm having a blast honestly': 'Frozen' star, Syosset native Idina Menzel talks Christmas album, Carnegie concert
'I'm having a blast honestly': 'Frozen' star, Syosset native Idina Menzel talks Christmas album, Carnegie concert
Long Island native Idina Menzel is currently starring in the country's biggest movie "Frozen 2," and she's not done offering holiday gifts to her fans.Long Island native Idina Menzel is currently starring in the country's biggest movie "Frozen 2," and she's not done offering holiday gifts to her fans.
SlideshowsGalleriesMore>>
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
Dog Day Fridays for Dec. 6
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.
This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.This week's dogs are up for adoption at Kent Animal Shelter. The shelter is located at 2259 River Road Calverton, NY 11933. Their phone number is 631-727-5731.Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
Chinese lantern festival lights up the sky above Citi Field for the holiday season
A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.A new lantern festival has taken over Citi Field, lighting up the sky starting Friday.2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
2019 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.The 87th annual Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting ceremony was held Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019 in New York.Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Your December 2019 Storm Photos
Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Do you have photos of the winter storm from the December 2019 storm? We want to see!Concerts at the Theatre at Westbury
Concerts at the Theatre at Westbury
A list of musical and comedy acts performing at the Theatre at Westbury.
A list of musical and comedy acts performing at the Theatre at Westbury.