U.S. Senators, led by Marsha Blackburn from Tennessee, have introduced the Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension (PRINTS) Act. The proposed 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 Blackburn stated, “Under President Biden’s open border policies, we are witnessing a devastating humanitarian crisis, and children are the primary victims.” She emphasized the importance of empowering border patrol agents with tools like fingerprinting to identify victims of child recycling.
Dr. Bill Cassidy criticized the current administration’s handling of border security, stating that it has become a gateway for child trafficking: “With the new Trump administration in sight, we will end this abuse.”
Senator Steve Daines echoed these concerns, pointing out that “Biden’s failure on the border crisis has led to the exploitation of our most vulnerable – our children.”
Joni Ernst highlighted how drug cartels exploit open-border policies for human smuggling profits: “By fingerprinting every child at the border…we protect the kids by ensuring they are not being trafficked.”
Chuck Grassley called for swift congressional action: “The PRINTS Act would empower law enforcement to identify victims of child trafficking and stamp out this horrific abuse.”
John Hoeven described fingerprinting as a common-sense tool that could help deter illegal immigration while combating trafficking.
Cindy Hyde-Smith noted that their legislation would restore authority for federal officials to fingerprint noncitizen youth: “Too often the Biden administration turned a blind eye to…fingerprinting these children.”
Tim Sheehy pointed out that open-border policies have fueled a tragic human trafficking epidemic: “Tragically, children have become the primary victims…and we must put a stop to it.”
Senator Mike Rounds also co-sponsored this initiative. The PRINTS Act proposes several measures including requiring DHS reports on apprehensions involving child traffickers and criminalizing child recycling.
Recent statistics indicate significant challenges at the southern border. In 2019 alone, ICE identified 600 children who were recycled multiple times across borders. Furthermore, reports suggest over 85,000 migrant children released to sponsors remain unaccounted for according to recent data from Health and Human Services.
