[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 156 (Thursday, September 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1291-E1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          PERSONAL EXPLANATION

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RAUL RUIZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2017

  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that we should deport 
known criminal gang members who are undocumented. That's why I voted 
for H.R. 3697, the Criminal Alien Gang Member Removal Act. However, I 
have real concerns about the overly vague language of

[[Page E1292]]

this bill and believe there is much room to improve. We need to make 
sure that families, humanitarian aid workers, and religious 
institutions that help rehabilitate gang members are not penalized. I 
am disappointed that the House leadership did not follow regular order 
or allow amendments to the bill, so we could have addressed these 
concerns. I urge the Senate to work together to make improvements to 
the overly broad language in the bill.

                          ____________________