Huffman: House Response to Immigration Crisis is an Abdication of Responsibility
WASHINGTON—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) today voted against the House’s woefully inadequate response to the humanitarian crisis of unaccompanied children along the southern border. The House Supplemental Appropriations to Address the Southwest Border Crisis (H.R. 5230) provides $659 million—80% less than President Obama’s request—and is paired with punitive measures including modifications to the Trafficking Victims Act, and provisions to expedite removal proceedings—essentially ending due process for unaccompanied minors. Huffman also voted against H.R. 5272, which would prohibit the use of funds for the continuation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“The humanitarian crisis on our border requires a robust and comprehensive response. This is neither –it’s irresponsible, partisan theater and an abdication of Congress’ responsibility. The House Republicans have routinely refused our request to consider a bipartisan comprehensive bill to fix our broken immigration system. Instead, they insisted on bills that provide too little money to respond to the crisis, yet took punitive measures against children fleeing horrific violence,” Huffman said. “As a nation, we have an obligation to treat refugees humanely, but the House Republican bill would diminish the legal protections provided to children under the law, essentially stripping them of due process. Meanwhile, the extreme voices in Congress insisted on unnecessary and gratuitous environmental waivers along a wide swath of our southern border. Speaker Boehner has denied us a vote on the bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill for too long—it’s long past time that we worked together to pass a real solution.”
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