In recent times, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data has unveiled a concerning number of illegal immigrants with severe criminal convictions, including sexual assault and homicide, possibly residing within the United States. These individuals should ideally not have gained access to American soil, and it’s alarming that they continue to operate freely within our communities. To address this, I am currently collaborating with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) on introducing the BE GONE Act. This legislative effort intends to deport individuals convicted of such severe crimes who are present in the country and prevent others with similar criminal backgrounds from crossing the border.
However, this situation highlights a broader issue – the substantial risks posed by lax border policies under the Biden-Harris administration that have been in place for over three years. One of the most alarming parts of these immigration policies has been the misuse of the parole system. It is an undeniable fact that under the Biden-Harris administration, an exceptional rate of unauthorized immigrants have been allowed to traverse the U.S. unrestricted.
If we compare this with the immigration policies under the earlier Obama and Trump administrations, it becomes clear how drastic the changes have been. On average, these administrations approved parole for approximately 5,600 individuals per year. But in 2022, this number has swelled extraordinarily under the Biden-Harris regime. Preliminary estimates suggest that the figure could be around 1.2 million individuals which equates to nearly two-thirds of the entire population of Nebraska.
The Immigration and Nationality Act stipulates that the power to grant parole should only be used sparingly and on a case-by-case basis. The focus should be solely on addressing urgent humanitarian needs or if it leads to a significant public benefit. This law is unambiguous. The parole system is designed to cater to people faced with exceptional circumstances. It’s not intended to grant blanket reprieve for those seeking to exploit the system for personal gain or avoid facing past criminal charges.
One of the essential responsibilities of the federal government is ensuring citizens’ safety. Over the past three and a half years, the Biden-Harris administration appears to have fallen significantly short of fulfilling this essential duty. The immigration policies they have chosen to implement have often seemed to do the polar opposite.
American citizens at the very least are entitled to accurate information about the ongoing border crisis and the apparent misuse of parole privileges. This drove my earlier co-sponsoring of the Southern Border Transparency Act. The act, which has recently been passed by the U.S. Senate, obligates the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit regular and accurate reports on migrant activities at the border.
These reports would disclose critical information such as the number of migrants granted parole, the number of apprehensions made at the border, petitions made for parole, and details about releasements. The fact that such a legislation was required in the first place speaks volumes about the lack of transparency. The American public deserves access to this basic level of openness from their elected representatives.
The ongoing failure of the current administration to secure our southern boundary has severe potential implications. It affects people at an individual level, as demonstrated by the tragic case of Taryn Lee Griffith from Nebraska, whose life was tragically claimed by an influx of fentanyl in our communities. This situation also threatens our national security, as border confrontations with recognized terrorists are on a rise.
Moreover, these issues could sway our electoral system. At present, illegal immigrants are included in census data used in determining the number of electoral college votes and congressional representation each state receives. This could have significant influence on the political balance and results of our elections.
I am actively endorsing and assisting in multiple legislative initiatives aimed at consolidating our border security and halting the inflow of illegal immigrants and narcotics. In addition to this, I have been regularly advocating for a return to the stricter immigration policies of the Trump administration, as they effectively brought illegal border crossings down to a record low in 45 years.
Until we can successfully address these objectives, the American population deserves at least full transparency regarding the ongoing situation at the border under the Biden-Harris administration. The Southern Border Transparency Act is a significant step toward this goal by providing the crucial data needed for the public to hold Biden and Harris accountable.
This legislation is imperative as it sheds light on the number of unauthorized immigrants that have been permitted to enter the country under the existing administration. The American people have a right to know this information, and putting it in their hands allows them to hold their leaders responsible.
In conclusion, the situation at the southern border poses a significant challenge to our nation’s security and the well-being of its people. The unchecked flow of illegal immigrants, some of whom have serious criminal records, is deeply disconcerting. It necessitates an immediate and forceful response from our leadership, be it in the form of stronger border controls or more stringent immigration policies.
We have a collective responsibility to confront this crisis and ensure the safety of our communities. Constructive legislation like the BE GONE Act and the Southern Border Transparency Act are examples of the type of steps we need to take to better protect and inform the public. It is high time we returned to more effective and accountable immigration strategies.
Let this not merely be a debate of political inclinations but an urgent call to action to safeguard our nation and its future. As the impetus for this change starts with informed citizens, it’s time to shed light on these matters and empower the American people with the truths about the border crisis and immigration policies. Only then can the full weight of public opinion be felt, and meaningful changes be enacted.