Texas House Bill HR69

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Urging the president of the United States to end the Zero Tolerance Policy with respect to immigration and to uphold the provisions of the Flores Agreement.

Impact

If passed, HR69 would not have the power of law but would send a strong message from the state assembly to the federal government, urging a reassessment of current immigration practices that have led to significant emotional and psychological damage to the youth involved. The resolution points out the inadequacies in the tracking and management of detained children, noting that many minors remain unaccounted for or are held in non-ideal conditions for extended periods. This situation exacerbates the struggles faced by unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in a challenging immigration landscape.

Summary

House Resolution 69 (HR69) is a resolution urging the President of the United States to end the controversial Zero Tolerance Policy on immigration. This policy, which has been a source of public outrage, particularly due to its impact on children, mandates the criminal prosecution of all immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without authorization, leading to widespread family separations. The resolution highlights the psychological trauma faced by children separated from their families and calls for adherence to the Flores Agreement, which places limits on the detention of minors.

Contention

The resolution addresses a major policy issue that has sparked national debate on immigration rights and human dignity. Proponents argue that the Zero Tolerance Policy is inhumane and costly, tearing apart families and misallocating federal resources that could better serve public health and welfare programs. Opponents, however, might assert that strict immigration enforcement is necessary for national security and the rule of law, presenting an arduous discussion on how best to balance humane treatment of migrants with the integrity of immigration laws.