Dick Durbin: “the Senator from Texas just spoke on the floor about the number of children coming across the border into the United…”

“the Senator from Texas just spoke on the floor about the number of children coming across the border into the United States, and the numbers are frightening, they are so large. We had a hearing today with Jeh Johnson, who is the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security. A lot of questions were asked, such as if actions by our government or statements by our President are luring these children into the United States. Let me make the record clear. There is nothing--nothing--about the President's Executive order involving those we call DREAMers--children brought to the United States--which would lead any of these families of the children to believe they could qualify to be treated as qualified for docket--that is, deferred deportation--because they would be eligible DREAMers. None--none--of these children would be eligible, period. So the suggestion that this Executive order has anything to do with luring these children to the United States is wrong. Second, there is turmoil in Mexico and Central America. That is a fact. I am sure that is a factor in decisions being made by some to leave. But there is an issue that has been overlooked here time and again which needs to be addressed. There is a Pulitzer Prize-winning book entitled ``Enrique's Journey.'' The author is an L.A. Times writer named Sonia Nazario. She started following the paths of children-- children--coming into the United States from Mexico and Central America and even South America.…”