WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) chaired a Judiciary Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration hearing on the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA) and exploited loopholes affecting unaccompanied children.

Click HERE to watch Senator Tillis’ opening statement.

Click HERE to watch the full hearing.

“Integral to the success of this country is a robust, fair, and accountable immigration system – one that learns from mistakes of the past, adapts to the problems of the present, and guides aspirations for the future,” said Senator Tillis.“I hope after today’s testimony, we will continue to have a bipartisan policy discussion that strikes a balance between protecting unaccompanied minors who face legitimate humanitarian challenges and preventing violent actors such as MS-13 from exploiting loopholes.”

“Both sides can agree that the status quo is unsustainable and unacceptable. Reforming our laws does more than prevent unlawful entry of those whom we would welcome through the proper channels. Bipartisan reform can promote our nation’s humanitarian goals here and abroad, while also preventing members of MS-13 from infiltrating unaccompanied minor populations to enter the country and recruiting new members along the way,” continued Senator Tillis.“Bipartisan reform would send a message to our law enforcement and immigration officers at the border that the federal government has their backs. Most importantly, reform reaffirms our country’s commitment to an immigration system that incentivizes fair, efficient, and lawful entry.”

The subcommittee members heard testimony from 2 panels that included the following witnesses: 

Panel 1

• The Honorable Dean Heller – United States Senator for the State of Nevada
• The Honorable Bob Menendez – United States Senator for the State of New Jersey

Panel 2

• Ms. Alysa Erichs - Acting Deputy Executive Associate Director of Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security
• Mr. Matthew Albence - Executive Associate Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security
• The Honorable Richard Hudson - Deputy Chief of the Operations Program for the Law Enforcement Operations Directorate, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security
• Mr. Steve Wagner - Acting Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, Department of Health and Human Services

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