Aderholt Introduces Bill to Turn Back Waves of Illegal Immigrants

The 'Protection of Children Act of 2014' would streamline removal process to return them home

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 17, 2014                                                                                            CONTACT: Brian Rell, 202.225.4876 

WASHINGTON D.C. - Congressman Robert Aderholt along with two other members of the House introduced legislation today that streamlines the removal process for illegal aliens caught at the border, and allows unaccompanied minors to be returned to their home country in weeks instead of the usual years it takes to navigate the current process.  This legislation closes a loophole used by human smugglers to exploit the anti-human trafficking law amended in 2008 that was designed to deal with illegal child labor and sex trafficking. The legislation allows for all unaccompanied children, regardless of what country they are from, to be treated the same under the law and to be reunited with their families in their home country. Aderholt, who previously chaired the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, teamed up with the current Subcommittee Chairman John Carter (R-TX31) and Health & Human Services Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Jack Kingston (R-GA01) to introduce the legislation this morning to address our nation’s crisis at the border. 
 
"The end of the border crisis begins with honestly enforcing our immigration laws at the border," said Congressman Robert Aderholt who chairs the Agriculture Subcommittee on Appropriations. "This common-sense legislation is needed to streamline the removal process and, at the same time, protect minor children who qualify for asylum.  We need a process where these cases can be dealt with quickly. With this legislation in place, instead of the process taking years, the process will move much more quickly. Those who try to circumvent our laws and who are here for the wrong reasons need to know it will soon take just weeks for them to be sent back to their home country."  

The legislation amends the 2008 William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and provides for the expedited removal of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC) who are not victims of human trafficking or do not have a credible fear of returning to their home country. This legislation:

• Removes the distinction between Canadian/Mexican UACs and UACs from non-border countries, like Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.
• Requires immigration enforcement officials to investigate the individuals receiving custody of the children inside the United States. These guardians are often here illegally and many sent thousands of dollars to criminal smuggling organizations.
• Allows officials to hold UACs while their claims are heard, rather than release them throughout the country at taxpayer expense.
• Reaffirms that taxpayers will not pay for lawyers to represent illegal immigrants. 

Congressman Aderholt serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the powerful House Appropriations Committee; he is also a member of the Committee’s Defense Subcommittee, the Committee’s Commerce, Justice, and Science Subcommittee, and the Helsinki Commission.

For more information about Aderholt’s work in Congress visit: www.aderholt.house.gov. 

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