Thursday, July 24, 2014

Ken Calvert Seeks to Close Illegal Immigration Loophole

By Douglas V. Gibbs

In 2008 a law was passed, and signed by President Bush, that enables children illegally immigrating from non-contiguous countries to not be deported back to their homes.  The provision was passed under the guise of protecting children from human trafficking, but what it did was create the opportunity for the massive onslaught of young people illegally coming to the United States from Central and South America.

Ken Calvert, silent during the early days of the protests in Murrieta, has decided to take action legislatively, by introducing a bill designed to close that loophole that is encouraging illegals from nations that are not contiguous to make the trek to our national border.

I would like to see these people in Washington take steps to secure the border, because plugging the hole is the most important thing we need to do, first, but I am pleased to see Calvert act in a way that supports his constituents, and lets us know that he heard us loud and clear when we were out there protesting in front of Murrieta's border patrol station, and turning around Homeland Security buses full of sick illegal aliens.

Congressman Calvert's bill, H.R. 5079, attracted 18 cosponsors, and is intended to amend the 2008 law so that unaccompanied children from Central America that are detained crossing the border illegally are not simply processed, and then released into American neighborhoods.

“It has become increasingly clear that Congress must take action and close an unintended loophole that is a significant cause of the crisis at our border in Texas,” said Rep. Calvert. “Solving our immigration crisis requires getting at the root of the problem, and if we fail to take steps like closing this loophole the significant challenges we are experiencing now will only continue and grow. The long and dangerous journey from Central America to the Texas border, especially one aided by a smuggler, is something that no one, especially an unaccompanied child, should endure. The humane and responsible step for these children and for our immigration policy is to close this loophole and the incentive it provides. Americans expect the federal government to respond and quickly address the crisis at the border, which is why both Republicans and Democrats have voiced support for taking this step.”

“The President’s unilateral actions have sent a misleading message that resulted in tens of thousands of children making a perilous journey to our country with the belief they would be allowed to stay," said Congressman Darrell Issa (CA-49). "The best resolution to this humanitarian crisis is the safe return of these children to their families and country of origin. By promptly returning them home to their loved ones it sends a clear message that will discourage other children from making this dangerous trip.”

“This bill is one step of many to rectify the situation,” said Rep. Calvert. “I was also pleased by the recent announcement by Customs and Border Protection that they will not be transferring any more illegal immigrant families or children to the San Diego sector, which includes the Murrieta facility in my congressional district. CBP will process them in Texas, which is exactly what should happen. This bill would then enable CBP to process unaccompanied children at the point of entry and immediately repatriate them.”

Calvert's bill will change children not from countries bordering the U.S. to have the same legal proceedings as those from contiguous countries.  With the current rules, with the onslaught of numbers making it impossible to get these people a hearing within 72 hours, they must be released and asked to return later for their hearing.  95-98 percent of these people never check back in.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

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