[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1316-E1317]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          ON ADDRESSING THE HUMANITARIAN CRISIS ON OUR BORDER

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                             HON. AL GREEN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 31, 2014

  Mr. AL GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I support Comprehensive 
Immigration Reform, which would secure our borders, create a pathway to 
citizenship, and provides for electronic employment verification. I 
believe more than ever after having seen the humanitarian consequences 
of the crisis firsthand, we must act now. Having a broken system that 
is in dire need of reform only exacerbates the issue.
  However, I oppose H.R. 5230, Making supplemental appropriations for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 2014, and for other purposes, and 
H.R. 5272, To prohibit certain actions with respect to deferred action 
for aliens not lawfully present in the United States, and for other 
purposes. These bills do not adequately address the problems in our 
immigration system or deal with the current influx of unaccompanied 
minors. These bills will also end protections that have provided relief 
to millions of people currently living in the U.S.
  H.R. 5230 emasculates current anti-trafficking law, meant to protect 
minors from certain countries and allow them to apply for asylum in 
this country. The bill provides a fraction of the $3.7 billion 
requested by President Obama to address the humanitarian crisis at our 
border. The bill would likely produce simulated hearings with fast-
track adjudication that mimics due process for unaccompanied minors.
  H.R. 5272 eviscerates the vital Deferred Action for Childhood 
Arrivals (DACA) program, which has provided much needed relief for 
millions of undocumented immigrants who arrived in this country as 
minors. DACA allows the Department of Homeland Security prosecutorial 
discretion towards some undocumented immigrants who immigrated to our 
nation as children not of their own volition.
  Mr. Speaker, the humanitarian crisis caused by an influx of 
unaccompanied minors from mostly Central American countries with 
staggering crime rates has tested our nation's laws and values. We are 
a nation of laws but we are also a nation of values. We must treat all 
individuals, especially minors, in a way that is consistent with our 
values.

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