CAPAC Leaders Denounce Misguided GOP Border Package to Address the Humanitarian Crisis
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Judy Chu (CA-27) and CAPAC Chair Emeritus Mike Honda (CA-17) released the following statements on the House GOP package to address the humanitarian crisis on the southwest border:
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“These bills are a disgrace. Republican leadership chose partisan theatrics over serious legislation that could be signed into law. By turning to their most conservative factions, House Republicans compromised within their own party to pass misguided bills that punish young people who are productive members of our society, and even worse, pushes out vulnerable children who have come here for protection.
“The Republican bills unnecessarily put more money into border enforcement instead of appropriating funds to deal with the root causes of this crisis. It undercuts the rights of children by gutting crucial legal protections, essentially denying these children a fair shot in court – making it almost certain that children with valid claims of protection will be removed. And to sweeten the deal for their conservative members, Republican leadership chose to pull the rug from immigrants who are working hard to earn an education or serve in our military.
“Our nation’s response must be consistent with our moral and legal obligations to protect the most vulnerable around us – not turning our backs on the founding principles that we stand for.”
Congressman Mike Honda (CA-17), CAPAC Chair Emeritus:
“Children who flee violence and repression from their Central American homes deserve our compassion, our empathy, and our respect. Not our scorn. After refusing to let us vote on Comprehensive Immigration Reform, a Republican majority tonight passed a bill that strips this vulnerable population of basic due process protections. Adding insult to injury, they also passed legislation to force the deportation of young, hardworking, and high-achieving students who are not even part of the humanitarian crisis at the border. We need solutions, not gimmicks. I will continue to fight against the scourge of human trafficking and for Comprehensive Immigration Reform that reunites families and strengthens our economy.”
Background:
Since 2011, the number of unaccompanied minors attempting to cross the southwest border has drastically increased. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) predicts that an estimated 90,000 unaccompanied children will attempt to enter the country by the end of this year. Many of the children attempting to cross into the U.S. are fleeing extremely violent environments in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras – collectively known as the Northern Triangle of Central America. Drug cartel and gang-related activity are the main cause for most of the violence occurring in the region. According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as many as 58 percent of the minors could qualify for international protection.
Tonight, the Republican-led House passed H.R. 5230, which provides $694 million for federal agencies to respond to the humanitarian crisis at our southwest border. The approved funding falls short of the $3.7 billion requested by President Obama and the $2.7 billion allocated in the Senate Democrats’ emergency spending bill. H.R. 5230 also amends current protections for unaccompanied children that will result in their expedited removal. The bill passed by a vote of 223-189.
The House also passed H.R. 5272, the “No New DREAMers Act”, which would prevent the Obama Administration from processing new applications to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The bill would also prohibit the Administration from authorizing a new deferred action program and work permits for undocumented aliens. The bill passed by a vote of 216-192-1.
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The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of Members of Congress of Asian and Pacific Islander descent and Members who have a strong dedication to promoting the well-being of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Currently chaired by Congresswoman Judy Chu, CAPAC has been addressing the needs of the AAPI community in all areas of American life since it was founded in 1994.