Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators, led by Bill Cassidy and Marsha Blackburn, have reintroduced the Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension (PRINTS) Act. This legislation aims to combat child trafficking and recycling by allowing U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to fingerprint non-citizens under 14 years old.

Senator Cassidy criticized the current administration's border policies, stating, “The Biden administration made the southern border a gateway for child trafficking. Vulnerable children have been sold, recycled, and exploited under democrats’ watch.” He expressed hope that changes would come with a new administration.

Senator Blackburn highlighted the humanitarian crisis at the border, emphasizing that children are often victims of abuse and exploitation. She said, “Empowering border patrol agents to fingerprint non-citizens under the age of 14 would give them the tools they need to identify victims of child recycling.”

Senator Daines pointed out what he sees as failures in current policies leading to exploitation: “Biden’s failure on the border crisis has led to the exploitation of our most vulnerable – our children.”

According to Senator Ernst, drug cartels have profited from open-border policies through human smuggling: “By fingerprinting every child at the border... we also protect the kids by ensuring they are not being trafficked.”

Senator Grassley urged quick action from Congress: “The PRINTS Act would empower law enforcement to identify victims of child trafficking and stamp out this horrific abuse.”

Other supporters include Senators Hoeven, Hyde-Smith, Sheehy, and Rounds who echoed concerns about child exploitation due to current policies. They advocate for increased security measures such as fingerprinting minors at borders as a deterrent against trafficking.

This legislative push reflects ongoing debates over immigration policy and its impact on vulnerable populations at U.S. borders.