Statement of Senator Feinstein on the Decision by Attorney General Ashcroft to Allow Thai Boy to Remain in the United States

Washington, DC - U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft today announced that he has used his discretion to allow a Thai boy used as a decoy by human traffickers to remain in this country. The following is the text of Senator Feinstein's statement:

"I want to thank Attorney General Ashcroft for his decision today to grant Phanupong "Got" Khaisri humanitarian parole and instruct the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) to grant him a "T" visa when new regulations on human trafficking go into effect. This decision reflects a deep understanding of the problems associated with human trafficking and the treatment of young children by INS.

On April 21, 2001, I wrote to Attorney General Ashcroft, informing him about the tragic story of Got. Got was being used by human traffickers as a decoy to help a smuggler and a prostitute come to America. His health was deteriorating; he suffered from dehydration, a persistent cough, vomiting and an ear infection. Nevertheless, the INS was going to deport the child without further investigating his situation.

Only after inquiries by Congressional offices and a federal court order did the INS agree to allow the child to remain in the United States so that he could obtain proper medical attention.

Got, unfortunately, is not alone. Last year, there were 4,600 unaccompanied children in INS custody - some with equally tragic situations. It is my hope that Attorney General Ashcroft's decision today represents a shift in the attitude of the Department of Justice toward unaccompanied minors and that similar situations can also be addressed with compassion."

A copy of the Senator's Letter to Attorney General Ashcroft is available upon request.

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