This week, U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., showcased her support for U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman’s, D-NY, “Immigration Court Efficiency and Children’s Court Act.”
The bill “would establish a Children’s Court within the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) focused on the adjudication of unaccompanied children’s removal proceedings.”
“We have an obligation to protect the children who arrive at our borders without their families, and it is vital that we make our immigration system easier for these young people to navigate,” Goldman said. “Children coming to the United States alone have often traveled hundreds of thousands of miles to escape extreme violence and other dangers. Far too often, these children are left alone to navigate a judicial system they do not understand, frequently in a language they don’t speak, and sometimes without a lawyer to represent them. A dedicated children’s court within our immigration system will allow us to tailor a complicated immigration system to a child’s needs and ensure they receive due process and essential assistance.”
“Children are often the greatest victims of our broken immigration system. We must do better to meet children’s needs while streamlining immigration court proceedings and making our courts more efficient. I’m proud to co-lead the Immigration Court Efficiency and Children’s Court Act to improve outcomes for children, families, and the American people in our backlogged immigration courts. And most importantly – keep them safe,” said Salazar.
Other co-sponsors include U.S. Reps. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oreg., and Hillary Scholten, D-Mich. The bill was sent to the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.
Over in the U.S. Senate, U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Col., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, are championing the bill.
“Since joining the Senate, I’ve fought hard to reform our broken immigration system, keep our country safe, and protect innocent children who cross the border seeking asylum. This legislation will ensure kids fleeing unspeakable violence and persecution are fully able to understand and participate in immigration court proceedings and that they are treated with the dignity, respect, and care they deserve. We need to come together as Americans to build an immigration system that upholds the rule of law and honors our country’s heritage. – and I’m grateful to my bipartisan colleagues for joining me on this important step forward toward comprehensive immigration reform,” said Bennet.
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