[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 107 (Thursday, July 10, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H6040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IMMIGRATION REFORM AND THE ARRIVAL OF UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN

  (Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise in support 
of comprehensive immigration reform and to address the growing number 
of unaccompanied children arriving from Central America.
  It has been over a year since the Senate passed bipartisan reform 
legislation to strengthen the border and provide a pathway to 
normalization and earned citizenship for those already here. The Senate 
passed the bill with 68 votes. Mr. Speaker, the Senate oftentimes can't 
get 60 votes to turn on the lights over there. So this legislation has 
broad support, and I urge its immediate consideration.
  Last week, I visited our immigration intake facilities in McAllen, 
Texas, on our southern border. I saw hundreds of recently arrived 
unaccompanied children, many traumatized by the violence in their home 
countries and the long, dangerous journey to our country.
  Americans are a compassionate people and, as Americans, we know that 
these children we are talking about need to be treated as children.
  The President has asked for emergency funds to further secure our 
border and give the Border Patrol the resources they need to make sure 
these children are treated with care and dignity while they are in our 
custody. If this Chamber is serious about border security, it would 
immediately consider the President's request and give our folks on the 
border what they need to do their job.

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