Immigration Reform and the Arrival of Unaccompanied Children

Floor Speech

Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas. Mr. Speaker and Members, I rise in support of comprehensive immigration reform and to address the growing number of unaccompanied children arriving from Central America.

It has been over a year since the Senate passed bipartisan reform legislation to strengthen the border and provide a pathway to normalization and earned citizenship for those already here. The Senate passed the bill with 68 votes. Mr. Speaker, the Senate oftentimes can't get 60 votes to turn on the lights over there. So this legislation has broad support, and I urge its immediate consideration.

Last week, I visited our immigration intake facilities in McAllen, Texas, on our southern border. I saw hundreds of recently arrived unaccompanied children, many traumatized by the violence in their home countries and the long, dangerous journey to our country.

Americans are a compassionate people and, as Americans, we know that these children we are talking about need to be treated as children.

The President has asked for emergency funds to further secure our border and give the Border Patrol the resources they need to make sure these children are treated with care and dignity while they are in our custody. If this Chamber is serious about border security, it would immediately consider the President's request and give our folks on the border what they need to do their job.

Source