Washington, D.C. – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after supporting a supplemental appropriations bill (H.R. 5230) to address the influx of unaccompanied alien children (UAC) crossing the southwestern border of the United States:
“Throughout the debate on how to address the ongoing crisis involving unaccompanied alien youth crossing our southern border, I’ve been consistent in what I want to see done. I have demanded an increased focus on securing the border, including sending in the National Guard. I’ve called for changes in the treatment of individuals from Central American countries as compared with those from Mexico who are designated for removal from the U.S. Children from Central America coming to the U.S. must be treated the same as those from Mexico. I’ve also demanded that unaccompanied alien children not be housed at Department of Defense facilities so that our men and women in uniform can focus on their military duties. I’ve advocated for compassionate treatment of these children while they remain in U.S. custody, while also stressing that the most humanitarian thing we can do for them is to return them safely to their families in their home countries.
“I could not support an earlier version of this bill because I believe it did not go far enough in preventing this crisis from continuing. I communicated my concerns to leadership, and I am glad they addressed these concerns by crafting a new version. Today’s bills are a positive step forward in fixing a broken immigration system, and I encourage the President and the Senate to work with the House to secure our border and ensure that those who are entering this country are doing so legally.
“While I am glad that today’s bills passed, I don’t believe the work of Congress is done. The practice of adjourning for the month of August is outdated, and I am prepared to stay in Washington until Congress has completed the important work still remaining. I urge my colleagues to do the same. Let’s finish the work we were sent here to do.”
H.R. 5230 would allocate funds to boost border security and law enforcement activities, as well as to facilitate the deployment of the National Guard to the southwestern border. In addition, the bill would accelerate judicial proceedings for immigrants, and amends the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 so that all UACs are treated the same as those from Mexico for the purpose of removals. H.R. 5230 also prohibits the housing of unauthorized immigrants on military bases if the use of the military installation would interfere with military activities or displace active duty members of the Armed Forces. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, Wittman recently held a briefing on this issue with DOD officials.
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.
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