Westbank Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), and 44 Senate colleagues introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution today to overturn the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) final rule. The senators argue that the rule endangers the safety and well-being of unaccompanied migrant children.

Cassidy has previously criticized ORR’s proposed rule for "failing to fully protect children from exploitation." Since 2023, he has investigated what he describes as the Biden administration’s failures to safeguard unaccompanied children from forced labor and human trafficking.

"ORR’s ongoing policy failures threaten the health and safety of unaccompanied children in its care. Five have already lost their lives under the Biden administration," said Dr. Cassidy. "Instead of implementing real reforms, this new rule codifies many of ORR’s existing failed policies."

Senator Grassley added, "The Biden administration ignored warnings from Congress and the Inspector General that its policies put children at risk and instead moved to finalize its current rule. Biden’s Health and Human Services Department has lost tens of thousands of vulnerable kids and handed over many others to abusers and criminals."

Since 2021, over 500,000 unaccompanied children have entered the United States illegally as part of what critics call Biden's border crisis. The senators assert that ORR has weakened its oversight, putting these children at risk.

The final rule includes provisions such as inadequate sponsor vetting requirements, undermining state licensing requirements, jeopardizing children's health and well-being, and prioritizing transportation for abortion over conscience and religious freedom protections.

Reports from Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Inspector General (OIG), and nonpartisan government watchdog groups have indicated that ORR’s policies fail to prevent abuse and exploitation.

Specifically, ORR’s final rule codifies practices including:

- Lax or optional sponsor vetting;

- Refusal to consider a sponsor’s criminal record;

- Refusal to share a sponsor’s immigration status with law enforcement;

- Weak standards for post-release home studies;

- Restrictions on whistleblowers' rights.

The resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV), Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), John Cornyn (R-TX), Ted Budd (R-NC), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Jim Risch (R-ID), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Mike Braun (R-IN), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Cindy Hyde-Smith, John Kennedy (both R-LA), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Kevin Cramer (both R-ND) Thom Tillis J.D. Vance both(R-OH); Pete Ricketts Roger Marshall both(R-KS); Mike Crapo Tom Cotton both(R-AR); Rick Scott John Hoeven Joni Ernst James Lankford Katie Britt Lindsey Graham Markwayne Mullin Marco Rubio Mike Lee Josh Hawley Marsha Blackburn Deb Fischer Jerry Moran Ted Cruz Dan Sullivan Mike Rounds John Barrasso John Thune John Boozman Tim Scott all(R).

For further updates from HELP Republicans visit their website or Twitter @GOPHELP.

___