FAIR Statement Opposing H.R. 3239, the so-called Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act

“Today, we face an unprecedented humanitarian and security crisis raging at our southern border. However, rather than focusing their efforts on remedying this catastrophe, House Democrats are bringing FAIR-opposed H.R. 3239 to the floor that will impose unattainable medical and facility requirements on every Customs and Border Protection (CBP) site throughout the country. Clearly this bill is intended to minimize the number of CBP sites in existence and force the agency to release even more people into the interior of the United States. Without a doubt, this decision to further exacerbate catch-and-release loopholes will only inflame the current crisis by encouraging an even greater number of migrant surges. Furthermore, H.R. 3239 would expand the long-standing definition of a ‘family unit’ from parents or legal guardians to any adult relative. This change will further aggravate the exploitation of Central American children, as bad actors look to abuse loopholes cemented by the Flores settlement agreement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has already uncovered an influx of individuals fraudulently posing as a legal guardian to use a child as their ticket into the interior of the United States. Broadening that definition will only lead to an increase of child exploitation, trafficking, and even recycling.”