FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2014, 9:00 AM Contact: Kevin D. McGee, (907) 441-2137 ANCHORAGE: The Anchorage NAACP is condemning Don Young's vote to block asylum for abused children and to block broader immigration reform. By siding with Tea Party xenophobes, Young cast votes that are the legislative equivalent of open and hateful discrimination against children of color, which is un-American. Young's obstructionism stands in stark contrast to Alaska's Senators' leadership, as both Murkowski and Begich have voted for comprehensive reform that would address both children in need of asylum as well as broader immigration challenges. "Don Young should follow Senators Murkowski's and Begich’s lead and support immigration reform that secures the border and protects vulnerable children from abuse. His votes--which echo his previous statements--have no place in a community as diverse as Alaska," said Kevin McGee of the Anchorage NAACP. Young voted for HR 5272, a bill passed by the House that would stop the federal government from processing children's asylum applications. As a result, children who were enslaved as prostitutes and escaped to the border would be returned to their home country, placing them at grave risk of further violence. Young also voted for HR 5230, a bill designed to speed up deportation of children, even at risk of placing their lives at risk. HR 5230 ignores the fact that President Obama already has increased deportation rates far above those seen under the previous administration. "With these two bills, Don Young is playing racial politics with the lives of children," said McGee. Legislation passed by the Senate with the support of Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich would address both the children's border crisis and broader immigration challenges. Murkowski also took time to visit the border to learn. ###
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