On the recordMarch 12, 2020
Today, I rise in opposition to H.R. 5518, the Access to Counsel Act. This bill would provide illegal immigrants the right to counsel immediately upon crossing our sovereign border, and American taxpayers, by the way, would be picking up the tab. This legislation doesn't address the humanitarian crisis at the border. It doesn't help women and children being exploited by the drug cartels. It doesn't fix our broken immigration system. It doesn't secure the border. It doesn't give resources to our law enforcement to keep them safe and successful in doing that job. This bill puts the interests of illegal immigrants before the rights of American citizens. Furthermore, it will overwhelm an already broken court system, charging hundreds of millions of dollars to U.S. taxpayers, and provide nothing to protect our citizens and the safety of our communities. ____________________
