[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2685]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      LET'S TRULY BE COMPASSIONATE

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                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 18, 2011

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about a very important 
bill that I just reintroduced, the Visitors Interested in Strengthening 
America (VISA) Act of 2011 (H.R. 714). The bill would grant 
humanitarian visa waivers to children and their parents for one day in 
order to attend a medical appointment, an education or cultural event.
  In the past, the Port Directors at the border had the authority to 
grant humanitarian visa waivers to certain children and their 
accompanying parent. Now, children who come without a visa must be 
turned away. The fee to enter into the United States for 24 hours is an 
insurmountable amount of money for these poor children and their 
families. These children pose no threat to our national security. They 
are merely trying to receive medical treatment or to enjoy a school 
field trip to one of our Nation's numerous tourist attractions.
  This legislation does not affect the number of legal or illegal 
immigrants living in the United States--the children and accompanying 
adults visit for one day and then return to their homes. It gives Port 
Directors the authority to use their discretion, and issue waivers to 
children that pose no security threat to our country.
  This is commonsense legislation that allows us to cultivate relations 
with our Mexican neighbors, while keeping those who would do us harm 
out of our country. I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this 
critical legislation, by cosponsoring the VISA Act.

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