Reschenthaler Opposes Mass Amnesty, Votes to Secure Our Borders
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14) voted to secure our borders by opposing H.R. 6, the so-called "American Dream and Promise Act of 2019," which would only encourage and reward illegal entrants and incentivize further illegal immigration. While the legislation is billed as a fix for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) population, it is actually much broader and would even allow criminals and gang members to obtain green cards. The bill contains no enforcement mechanisms and provides no resources for operations at our southern border, where 4,500 individuals are being apprehended by border patrol each day.
"There can be no doubt that our nation is dealing with a security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border," said Reschenthaler. "Border patrol is completely overwhelmed, detention facilities are full, and resources to take care of unaccompanied children will run out in two weeks. Yet today, Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats chose to pass a bill that will only make the situation worse. We know H.R. 6 is dead on arrival in the Senate, so I ask my colleagues across the aisle to end the desperate political showmanship and instead work with us to address this devastating crisis."
H.R. 6 provides green cards and special amnesty on a mandatory basis to an illegal immigrant population that far exceeds those covered under President Barack Obama's DACA program. The bill also grants green card status to any individual protected by or eligible to receive Temporary Protected Status (TPS), regardless of whether they received TPS, entered illegally, or are no longer in the country. This widespread, mandatory amnesty is projected to cost taxpayers $34.6 billion.
"We should not be placing the interests of those who broke our laws above the interests of those who followed them," said Reschenthaler. "I will continue to advocate for an immigration solution that addresses the root causes of the situation at our southern border and provides much needed resources to deal with this humanitarian crisis."
To see Congressman Reschenthaler speak on the House floor in opposition to this bill, click here.
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