Chuck Grassley: “I come to the floor to address two issues, a shorter issue on immigration and a longer issue on the student loan…”

“I come to the floor to address two issues, a shorter issue on immigration and a longer issue on the student loan program, particularly in reference to legislation offered earlier this morning. On immigration, this morning, Secretary Johnson appeared before the Judiciary Committee. We had a chance to ask a number of questions related to the administration's release of 36,000 criminal aliens, for what reasons the Department voluntarily did release them--especially convicted murderers--and what they are doing to track down and keep track of where these people are. I didn't get answers, but the Secretary committed to respond in writing about the matter, and I thank him ahead of time for doing that. I also asked about data on countries that refuse to cooperate in taking back their nationals. Today I am introducing a bill with Senator Inhofe to fix this situation and allow the government to detain foreign nationals who pose a threat to our homeland. I have a longer statement on that issue. Finally, I mention that the Secretary of Homeland Security answered a lot of questions related to unaccompanied children coming to the United States, mostly from Central America, and entering our southern border. I agree we do have a humanitarian problem. These are vulnerable children whose lives are on the line. They are escorted by strangers for the most part, away from their families in some cases, and each of these young people probably not understanding what lies ahead.…”