Austin News

U.S. Senators Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) have sent a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland, questioning the Biden administration’s dismissal of over 350,000 removal cases. The senators expressed concerns about the impact of these policies on the U.S. legal immigration system.

In their letter, Cruz and Cramer stated, "This administration’s approach has consistently downplayed the severity of the border crisis, initially denying its existence, then reluctantly acknowledging it, and now attempting to address it through inadequate measures." They emphasized that current border management failures have resulted in an unprecedented backlog of 3.5 million asylum cases, which they believe poses a substantial burden on the immigration system and increases risks associated with illegal immigration.

The senators were joined by John Cornyn (R-Texas), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Roger Wicker (R-Miss.).

The letter references a New York Post article from June 2, 2024, detailing that the Executive Office for Immigration Review dismissed over 350,000 removal cases since 2022 under prosecutorial discretion. The senators argue that this practice undermines the integrity of the immigration system by allowing individuals to remain in the United States indefinitely without undergoing proper legal processes.

According to data cited in the letter, dismissals included 102,550 cases in 2022, 149,000 in 2023, and 113,843 in just the first four months of 2024. This is contrasted with approximately 26,000 dismissals during President Trump’s four-year term.

The letter also criticizes President Biden’s recent executive order aimed at managing illegal crossings at the southern border as insufficient and laden with exceptions that do not address root causes or provide sustainable solutions.

The senators seek detailed responses to several questions regarding dismissal figures' accuracy and policies' implications on national security and court backlogs. They urge for transparency and accountability in handling immigration and border security issues.

"Thank you for your prompt attention to this critical matter," concludes their letter.

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