[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 29 (Thursday, February 12, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E254]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      LET'S BE TRULY COMPASSIONATE

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                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2009

  Mr. FILNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to speak about a very 
important bill that I just re-introduced, the Visitors Interested in 
Strengthening America (VISA) Act of 2009 (H.R. 937). The bill would 
grant humanitarian visa waivers to children and their parents coming 
across the border for regular medical appointments, or for educational 
or cultural events.
  In the past, the Port Directors at the border had the authority to 
grant humanitarian visa waivers to certain children and their 
accompanying parent. Now, children who come without a visa must be 
turned away. The fee to enter into the United States for 24 hours is an 
insurmountable amount of money for these poor children and their 
families. These children pose no threat to our national security. They 
are merely trying to receive medical treatment or to enjoy a school 
field trip to one of our nation's numerous tourist attractions.
  This legislation does not affect the number of legal or illegal 
immigrants living in the United States--the children and accompanying 
adults visit for one day and then return to their homes. It gives Port 
Directors the authority to use their discretion, and issue waivers to 
children that pose no security threat to our country.
  This is common sense legislation that allows us to cultivate 
relations with our Mexican neighbors, while keeping those who would do 
us harm out of our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in support 
of this critical legislation, by co-sponsoring the VISA Act.

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