Speech #1050139269

I believe this bill would strengthen the United States ability to promote human rights and effectively confront regimes that are abusive to religious minorities in their countries. However. the United States must do more to become a safe haven for those fleeing persecution. Our current expedited removal procedures for asylum seekers are inhumane. dangerous. and morally offensive. Asylum seekers ought to have a fair hearing before an immigration judge before they are sent back to a country where they may be threatened. beaten. or even killed. Unfortunately. the provisions in this bill that would have made our immigration policy slightly more humane were removed from the legislation. I think we are making a big mistake. In fact. the provisions that would have protected asylum seekers fleeing religious persecution should have been expanded to aid those seeking asylum based on racial persecution. ethnicity. membership in a in a social group. or political opinion. Our nation must never turn its back on those fleeing persecution. It is offensive to our American tradition. our cultural heritage. and the very nature of our republic. This legislation does. however. for the first time require the GAO to conduct a study of airport deportations. so that we may gather data about the abuses that may be occurring in our immigration practices. What is happening to the people we turn away? How many people are we sending to their deaths? We need this information. and I am hopeful that once we have it we can revisit our immigration policy and end the shameful practice of turning away those who are seeking asylum from persecution. Let me reiterate that I strongly support this legislation. I only wish it were stronger.