Bipartisan bill seeks to combat humanitarian crisis at border

The southern border remains a high priority in Washington.

This week, the Trump Administration asked Congress for $4.5 billion in emergency border funding.

Now, there’s a bipartisan bill aimed at addressing the influx of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.

“Everybody pretty much understands what the problem is, and understands that this is going to get worse and worse and worse until we act,” Texas Republican Senator John Cornyn said.

The bill is called “The Humane Act” and it focuses on addressing humanitarian issues for people crossing the border.

The measure is looking to keep families together, call for more homeland security personnel, and create more processing centers where needed.

“If somebody has a better idea….we’ve always said this…..give it to us. And if there’s a critic out there then tell us what’s better,” Texas Democratic Representative Henry Cuellar said.

The bill would also improve care for migrant children by prioritizing their claims for relief in immigration courts. It would also provide safeguards to prevent them from being in custody of potentially dangerous individuals.

“I understand in the absence of legislation, the administration is trying to figure something that will have an impact. But the truth is, this legislation that will have a far greater impact than anything that’s been proposed by the administration,” Sen. Cornyn added.

The bill would not include charging asylum seekers an application fee, something President Trump suggested earlier this week.

Two Department of Homeland Security officials said the agency will begin the DNA testing pilot program at two border locations next week. The goal is to establish family relationships among migrants and weed out any false family units.