[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 123 (Friday, August 1, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                IN OPPOSITION TO H.R. 5230 AND H.R. 5272

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RUSH HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, August 1, 2014

  Mr. HOLT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 5230 
and H.R. 5272, sham legislation that fails to address the humanitarian 
crisis on our country's southern border.
  I strongly object to the language contained in H.R. 5230 that would 
amend the Trafficking Victims Protection Re-authorization Act of 2008 
(TVPRA). When Congress unanimously passed and President Bush signed the 
TVPRA, the purpose was to address the flow of child trafficking out of 
Central America, a process which requires a more extensive review and 
care for these children. I believe that changes to this law, especially 
those adopted in haste, would not be in the best interests of our 
nation or the children who suffer from trafficking. The commercial 
exploitation of children, especially sexual abuse, is among the most 
heinous crimes known to humanity and we should not engage in changing 
policy hastily or without a great deal of deliberation.
  I also object to H.R. 5272 which would prohibit the expansion of the 
President's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and 
prevent those that otherwise would be eligible for deferred action. 
This program was designed to protect children who came to this country 
as minors through no choice of their own. DACA does not confer lawful 
immigration status, does not alter an individual's existing immigration 
status, and does not provide a path to citizenship. This legislation is 
unrelated to the current crisis, and is nothing more than a handout to 
radical Republicans who have no compassion.
  We do this country a disservice with both H.R. 5230 and H.R. 5272. 
The time has come to pass comprehensive immigration reform now.