Austin News

U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has criticized the Biden administration for what he calls the abuse of parole authority. In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Cornyn highlighted how the administration has used parole to release nearly 800,000 migrants into the interior of the United States in Fiscal Year 2022 alone.

Parole, in an immigration context, is meant to grant temporary entry to foreign nationals in rare and dire circumstances. It was never intended to be a categorical or large-scale immigration authority. Senator Cornyn emphasized that parole should be used on a case-by-case basis.

"The President and his administration have abused an authority known as 'parole' to facilitate catch-and-release at an unprecedented rate," Senator Cornyn stated. He added, "This policy allows the administration to roll out the welcome mat for tens of thousands of migrants, while making it seem like the numbers have gone down."

Senator Cornyn compared the usage of parole in previous administrations, where an average of 5,600 migrants were paroled into the country each year. However, under the Biden administration, that number has skyrocketed. In Fiscal Year 2022 alone, almost 800,000 migrants were paroled into the United States.

"We've reached a breaking point, and the only way to restore some sense of order is by addressing the current failed policies of the Biden administration, particularly this abuse of parole," Senator Cornyn asserted.

The issue of parole abuse has raised concerns about the integrity of the immigration system and its impact on border security. The Biden administration has been facing criticism for its handling of the immigration crisis, and Senator Cornyn's remarks add to the growing chorus of voices calling for a change in policy.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will respond to these criticisms and whether any reforms will be implemented to address the concerns raised by Senator Cornyn and others.