[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 83 (Wednesday, June 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2014

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                               speech of

                          HON. GARY C. PETERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2013

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the state of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2217) making 
     appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. PETERS of Michigan. Mr. Chair, I rise in opposition to H.R. 2217, 
the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 
2014. I remain firmly committed to the security of the United States 
and the Department's mission of ensuring our communities are safe and 
secure from terrorism and other threats. However, I have serious 
concerns about a provision of this bill that cause me to be unable to 
support it.
  I am disappointed that the House adopted the controversial King 
amendment. This amendment offered by Representative Steve King will 
prohibit the administration from implementing the Deferred Action for 
Childhood Arrivals program. Children who were brought to the United 
States at a young age should not be penalized for the actions of their 
parents. These individuals, commonly referred to as DREAMers, may only 
know the United States and speak English. Deporting them to a country 
they may know nothing of, where they may not speak the language or know 
any relatives, is counterproductive to the principles that define our 
nation. I believe we need comprehensive immigration reform which 
addresses the issue of DREAM Act eligible youth and develops a 
framework for ensuring they can maintain a legal status in the United 
States. That is why, as a member of Congress who voted for the DREAM 
Act, I cannot support the King Amendment.
  While I agree with the necessity of providing adequate resources to 
the Department of Homeland Security, due to the inclusion of this 
unnecessary and controversial ban on the Deferred Action for Childhood 
Arrivals program, I am unable to support the bill.

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