Speech #1140110161

The bill also includes important safeguards to ensure that victims of genderbased persecution and LGBT asylumseekers receive the protection they deserve. Second. our bill provides critical protections for children and families. It would enable vulnerable minors seeking asylum to have their cases adjudicated by an asylum officer in a nonadversarial setting. Importantly. our bill would require the Attorney General to appoint counsel for children and other vulnerable individuals. allowing those who cannot advocate for themselves to receive a fair day in court. It is unconscionable that young children are being brought before U.S. Immigration judges without a lawyer to represent them. And. it would provide that all children in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security must be adequately screened for protection needs. Our legislation also includes important protections for refugee families. It would allow certain children and family members of refugees to be considered derivative applicants for refugee status if they have undergone the requisite security checks. Refugees escaping persecution should not have to choose between finding refuge and keeping their families together. Third. our bill promotes a more efficient asylum and refugee process. It would require timely notice of immigration charges and provide for updated conditions of detention. preventing individuals from languishing in detention at taxpayer expense and encouraging efficient case adjudication in our immigration courts. It includes measures to provide particularly vulnerable individuals with a full and fair opportunity to seek protection in the United States. The bill would also establish a secure "alternatives to detention" program to ensure the appearance of individuals in removal proceedings. Finally. our bill would facilitate the integration of refugees into our communities. which is a longstanding tradition in this country. It ensures that the Reception and Placement grants. which help refugees become selfsufficient. are adjusted on an annual basis for inflation and cost of living. It would also provide that resettled refugees who work for our government overseas do not face unnecessary hurdles in their adjustment to lawful permanent residence. Our bill also authorizes a study of our refugee resettlement program and improves the collection of data to ensure that our resettlement system uses resources efficiently. I am proud of the role Vermont has played in welcoming refugees. Since 1989. our State has welcomed nearly 8.000 refugees from more than a dozen wartorn countries. RecerThy. Mayor Christopher Louras and members of the Rutland community announced plans to resettle 100 Syrian refugees. I applaud their decision. which should serve as an example to other communities in Vermont and across the country. I am confident that Vermont will do its part to provide a welcoming home for these families. I am hopeful that if we pause and remember the role refugees and asylumseekers have played for generations in making our communities strong and vibrant. we will be able to move past the hateful. ugly rhetoric of this campaign season. Our moral obligation to innocent victims of persecution demands it. and our national interest requires it. I urge all Senators to support the Refugee Protection Act of 2016. By Mr. LEAHY (for himself.