Sen. McConnell Introduces Amendment to Halt The Flow of Unaccompanied Alien Minors into the Commonwealth

Press Release

U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell filed an amendment that would require the Obama administration to consult with the governor of a state and satisfy specific criteria before transporting unaccompanied alien minors into a state.

The measure, filed as an amendment to Senate border legislation, says that U.S. policy should be to treat unaccompanied alien minors humanely and return them to their home country immediately. The amendment would prohibit the transportation of unaccompanied alien minors across state lines unless the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the governor of the affected state, certifies that the minors will not have a burdensome economic impact or negative public health impact on the state or affected communities. The amendment also would prohibit the transportation of unaccompanied alien minors unless the Secretaries of HHS and the Department of Homeland Security certify that transporting them will not delay their immediate repatriation.

"My amendment makes clear that these minors should be treated humanely and returned to their home country immediately, not shipped across the nation and housed at taxpayer expense," Senator McConnell said. "I hope that we will have an open amendment process on the Senate floor so that my amendment can be considered."

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