[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 108 (Wednesday, June 27, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E933]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           BORDER SECURITY AND IMMIGRATION REFORM ACT OF 2018

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 21, 2018

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition of H.R. 
6136, the ``Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018.''
  This so-called compromise is anything but a compromise. There was not 
even a markup in the Judiciary Committee; only secret meetings with 
Administration officials known to author the worst immigration policy 
this nation has witnessed.
  Perhaps H.R. 6136 was an attempt at compromising amongst the various 
factions that currently divide the majority and prevent Congress from 
accomplishing meaningful immigration reform.
  But this ``compromise'' is a sham. H.R. 6136:
  fails to cover Dreamers;
  fails to provide a certain path to citizenship;
  claims to ``end'' Trump's family separation policy by requiring long-
term detention;
  revokes critical protections for detained children and families;
  makes deep cuts to legal family immigration;
  revokes the approvals of over 3 million family members who have been 
waiting for years to legally reunify with U.S. citizens;
  eliminates important asylum protections;
  ends the Diversity Visa program,
  makes immigrant communities less safe by forcing cooperation with 
immigration detainers.
  At every step, this bill attacks family unity, immigrant communities, 
and common decency.
  The United States of America is and will always be the land of 
opportunity, refuge, and safe haven for all.
  The current Administration's policies of closing our doors and 
borders, by forcibly tearing apart families and eliminating lawful 
means of entering the United States, are simply inhumane.
  H.R. 6136 would act as an overall deterrent to immigrants and people 
around the world finding refuge and opportunity here in the United 
States.
  The bill would prevent many asylum seekers from even applying for 
asylum, and would eliminate the Diversity Visa Program, which has 
traditionally sent a diverse pool of educated immigrants who have 
contributed to America's success.
  Moreover, the bill would needlessly attack sanctuary cities and 
immigrant communities, and would invest billions of dollars in 
President Trump's unnecessary border wall and military technology along 
the border.
  Overall, the bill would simply dismantle families, detain innocent 
immigrants and children for prolonged, indefinite amounts of time, and 
closes our border and walls to people around the world who are ready to 
contribute to the American dream.
  This is not what America is or has ever been. Our diverse nation was 
built by immigrants coming here to build for themselves and their 
families, along with other communities.
  By adopting this bill, America would be acting inconsistent with its 
core values, and contrary to its reputation as the world's most 
generous and welcoming nation.
  And for those reasons, I urge my colleagues to stand in opposition to 
H.R. 6136, the ``Border Security and Immigration Reform Act of 2018.''

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