[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 81 (Monday, May 15, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H2318]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 WORKING TOGETHER TO SECURE THE BORDER

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Nickel) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. NICKEL. Madam Speaker, North Carolina is a hub of innovation and 
diversity. People with roots from all over the world have come together 
to build a prosperous and growing community in our State.
  My district is stronger because of its diversity, and we need an 
immigration system that reflects North Carolina's needs and values.
  I believe it is possible to have a fair and efficient immigration 
system while also protecting our national security and ensuring the 
safety of American citizens.
  That is why I was discouraged that, with title 42 set to expire, the 
majority chose to advance partisan legislation rather than bipartisan 
solutions that can pass the House, Senate, and get signed into law.
  Likewise, while the administration announced several short-term steps 
leading up to the expiration of title 42, it was too little too late, 
and now Congress must act.
  It is unfortunate that addressing the situation at the southern 
border has become a political issue. Border security is not a Democrat 
or Republican issue. It is an American issue that we must address.
  I was proud to join a bipartisan coalition of Members to introduce 
legislation that will secure the southern border while giving us more 
time to enact meaningful, long-term reforms to our overburdened 
immigration system.
  The legislation is the House companion to the one introduced by North 
Carolina's own Senator Thom Tillis and Arizona Senator Kyrsten Sinema. 
I am proud to join this effort with Congressmen Golden, Ciscomani, Don 
Davis from North Carolina, Fitzpatrick, Valadao, and Nunn.
  This legislation grants the Biden administration a 2-year temporary 
expulsion authority for migrants who enter the U.S. illegally and 
serves as a proactive measure to tackle the expected surge of migrants 
at the southern border.
  Importantly, this legislation also ensures that migrants facing 
persecution or torture due to their membership in social, political, or 
religious groups will not be subject to expulsion. Furthermore, border 
agents will have the discretion to exempt migrants on a case-by-case 
basis.
  The urgency of decisive action at our southern border cannot be 
overstated, and this legislation will help in both the short term and 
the long term.
  In the short term, it would effectively extend title 42 restrictions. 
It would equip the U.S. Customs and Border Protection with the tools 
and resources to secure our borders and keep Americans safe.
  In the long term, this legislation grants more time for Congress to 
take up and address our overburdened immigration system.
  Right now, there is strong bipartisan support for this, and we can 
work together to find commonsense solutions that can pass into law.
  I believe in strong border security and improving technology at our 
ports of entry. I also believe people who wish to come to our country 
seeking a better life deserve a pathway to visas or citizenship that 
doesn't take decades to complete.
  North Carolina's economy relies on immigrants to come here on skilled 
work visas, and I will work to find solutions to address the visa 
backlog and expand processing. We should address the root causes of 
migration with a comprehensive approach that includes not only 
immigration policy but also economic development, humanitarian aid, and 
diplomatic engagement.
  As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus and member of the New 
Democrat Coalition's Immigration and Border Security Task Force, I 
remain focused and committed to working across the aisle to secure our 
border and advance comprehensive immigration reform.
  A solution to our broken immigration system is long overdue, Madam 
Speaker. Let's work together to secure our borders and ports, create a 
pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants already in the 
country, and reform our visa system so we can strengthen economic 
development.

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