On the recordJanuary 14, 2015
I thank the gentleman for yielding and for the work he and Mrs. Roby did on this amendment. I urge my colleagues to support the amendment. Madam Chair, this amendment simply requires the Department of Homeland Security to treat any alien convicted of any offense involving domestic violence, sexual abuse, child molestation, or child abuse or exploitation as a top priority for immigration enforcement. Unfortunately, the current priorities created by the Obama administration on November 20, 2014, treat certain aliens convicted of domestic violence, convicted of sexual abuse, or convicted of exploitation as a secondary priority. While aliens convicted of a ``significant misdemeanor,'' such as domestic violence, sexual abuse, or exploitation, are deemed a secondary priority for removal, they can stay in the United States in contravention of duly enacted law if they simply show ``factors'' warranting release. The amendment corrects these irresponsible policies of the Obama administration and ensures that criminal aliens convicted of domestic violence and sexual abuse are treated as top priorities for removal. For these reasons, I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.
