House Democrats and Republicans on Thursday proposed legislation that would force the Department of Homeland Security to create a plan to deal with the escalating crisis at the southern border — and allow the embattled agency to access $1 billion in emergency funding.
The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Henry Cuellar, would “hold interagency components accountable to mitigate bottlenecks that take law enforcement off the line.” APThe bipartisan proposal drafted by Homeland Security Committee ranking member Rep. John Katko (R-NY) would create metrics to identify “irregular migration surges” and respond “before it becomes unsustainable.”
DHS could use the extra $1 billion in funding toward paying for overtime, expanding temporary DHS processing and holding capacity, replenishing food and equipment and getting extra help from other agencies.
Migrant families wade through shallow waters after being delivered by smugglers on small inflatable rafts on U.S. soil in Roma, Texas. APThe bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas), would “hold interagency components accountable to mitigate bottlenecks that take law enforcement off the line and result in children being held in [Customs and Border Protection] custody for longer than they should,” according to a joint press release.
Migrant families wait to be questioned at the preliminary intake area of the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility. REUTERS“After hearing firsthand from border patrol agents, it’s clear they need interagency backup and accountability across the Federal Government to appropriately handle border surges,” Katko said in a statement. “We need greater confidence that the Federal Government can manage these crises going forward. This bill would do just that.”
Young migrants lie inside a pod at the Donna Department of Homeland Security holding facility, the main detention center for unaccompanied children in the Rio Grande Valley run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in Donna, Texas REUTERSThe proposal will also allow DHS to avoid tapping into its own funding for essentials like food, clothing, blankets and transportation — and let it focus on doing its jobs in protecting the border, the lawmaker said.
DHS could use the extra $1 billion in funding toward paying for overtime, expanding temporary DHS processing and holding capacity, replenishing food and equipment and getting extra help from other agencies. REUTERS