Gwen Moore: “I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this dangerous legislation. It has…”

“I thank the gentleman for yielding to me. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this dangerous legislation. It has been pointed out in this debate that H.R. 30 fails to protect domestic abuse survivors as it undermines the Violence Against Women Act, historic legislation that was carefully drafted in a bipartisan manner, which included critical protections like U visas and T visas, the battered spouse waiver, and the option to self-petition for permanent residence. This legislation, whether it means it or not or intends it or not, really cancels out these important protections. Immigrant survivors are already afraid. We don't need to fearmonger them anymore. They are already scared of contacting the police due to the deportation risk, and H.R. 30 exacerbates the real concerns that these victims will be swept up by this bill. As noted by a wide range of stakeholders, immigrant victims are particularly vulnerable to being arrested and prosecuted for domestic violence or acting in self-defense, even if they are falsely accused by an abuser of being a primary aggressor. We know that this comes straight out of a playbook by some of our historic traffickers and pimps. This bill would empower pimps and traffickers as it is written, and it will sweep more survivors into being inadmissible or deportable. Mr. Speaker, how does that protect them? In the name of protecting domestic violence victims, we cannot debate and pass a bill that makes it worse for them.…”