WASHINGTON (WDNews) — U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama has joined U.S. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah in introducing legislation aimed at child trafficking and asylum fraud at the U.S. border.
The Stopping Border Surges Act would make changes to how certain migrant children and families are handled during immigration proceedings.
“Thankfully, President Trump has locked down our borders after Joe Biden let millions of illegals invade our country,” Tuberville said. “But unfortunately, we still have loopholes that are incentivizing illegals to come to the United States. Proud to join Sen. Mike Lee in introducing legislation to make sure we are not actively encouraging illegal immigration.”
Lee said the legislation is intended to address what he described as policies that have been exploited by child traffickers.
“Child traffickers have smuggled abused children across our border thanks to the Biden administration’s policies that made it easier for them to cross by claiming to have a child,” Lee said. “On top of that, many of these kids were released into their kidnapper’s arms. This is not merciful; it’s a Democrat-concocted system that favored traffickers. All the while, these coyotes were claiming to seek asylum, passing multiple safe countries on their way here without stopping. The Stopping Border Surges Act will disincentivize asylum fraud and give President Trump’s border team the tools they need to protect exploited kids.”
According to Tuberville’s office, the bill would allow migrant children who arrive with their parents to remain with them in detention while the parents’ immigration cases are decided.
Supporters say the change would reduce incentives for adults who are not a child’s parent to falsely claim a family relationship to gain entry into the United States.
The legislation would also change the process for unaccompanied children arriving from countries other than Mexico and Canada. Supporters say the proposal would extend the expedited process currently used for certain children from Mexico and Canada.
The bill is also cosponsored by Republican Sens. Jim Banks of Indiana, Katie Britt of Alabama, Tom Cotton of Arkansas, Ted Cruz of Texas and Rick Scott of Florida.
