Kane County Reporter

Washington, DC – On May 11, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement after voting against H.R. 2: 

“There’s no denying that we need to address the crisis at our southern border, and rank-and-file lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize the need and potential to pass a bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform package. However, today’s vote made it clear that Republican leadership is more interested in forcing a vote on a partisan stunt than finding real solutions to our broken immigration system.

“At its core, H.R. 2 is a step back to the Trump Administration’s failed and inhumane immigration and border policies. This legislation diverts critical resources away from a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) overwhelmed with an influx of migrants and illicit fentanyl and, instead, wastes billions on a futile border wall. This bill would also effectively end our decades-old asylum system in violation of international law, criminalize nonprofits and faith organizations that assist migrants, send unaccompanied children back to dangerous situations, and jail children indefinitely.

“I’ve long supported increases in funding for our CBP officers, high-tech border security, and fentanyl detection in Congress’ annual appropriations process. This funding is becoming all the more important as Title 42 comes to an end. The Biden Administration has begun to support these priorities, but more must be done. 

“If we want to make progress on this issue, we can no longer tolerate inaction – we need bipartisan compromise from Congress and the Administration. We must effectively secure our border while respecting the humanity of the children and families who try to migrate here.”

Original source can be found here.