HOUSE OVERSIGHT 012377 13. Section 205 D0.1 opposes the addition of the new subsection 240A(b)(6)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality 21 Act (8 U.S.C. 1229b(b)) unless the word "Federal" is added before "law enforcement official." The same proposed subsection currently states that the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security "shall grant parole" to the relatives of trafficking victims. DOI. recommends changing this language to read "may grant parole" so the Secretary has the latitude to make an appropriate decision. There may be reasons pertaining to the circumstances of the relatives of the trafficking victim for which the Secretary should have discretion to deny parole. Further, DOJ finds it necessary to strike any reference to "as a result of the alien's cooperation with law enforcement" for the reasons noted above. In subsection, (6)(B)(ii)(II), DOI opposes a statutory requirement that parole be extended during pending civil actions. As indicated above, this action would create a potential for abuse because of the lengthy and plaintiff/victim-controlled delays in conducting civil litigation. 14. Section 211 The Department opposes the change of the "and" in subsection (1)(A) to an "or." Both the Attorney General and the Secretary of DHS need to be involved in the certification process. The current certification process is well-established and needs no statutory revisions. DOJ also opposes the change in subsection (1)(B), which would remove the Attorney General's authority in stating whether a person's presence is necessary in ensuring an effective prosecution. As the agency that prosecutes cases of human trafficking, DOrs involvement is vitally important. The Department has the same concern with the proposed change in subsection (2). 15. Section 213 We strongly oppose the language in this section that inappropriately removes law enforcement from any initial determination of victim status or benefits eligibility. DOJ and DHS pla