Austin News

Legislation Would Require the Biden-Harris Administration to Release Data on Unlawful Migrant Release Programs

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tom Cotton (R-AR), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Susan Collins (R-ME) released statements after their Southern Border Transparency Act passed the Senate unanimously last night. The bill mandates that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accurately report how it handles migrants encountered at the border, providing a full accounting of those released into the United States by the Biden-Harris administration.

“The Biden-Harris administration has gone to great lengths to hide the ball when it comes to levels of illegal immigration, but the American people deserve to know exactly how many migrants are being released into the country and exactly on what terms,” said Sen. Cornyn. “This is the most basic of transparency measures – just the facts, that’s all we’re looking for.”

“The Biden-Harris Administration’s disastrous policy decisions have led to 10.2 million encounters at our Southern border since taking office, and it is clear they would prefer to keep the American people in the dark about their failures,” said Sen. Tillis. “I am proud to cosponsor this legislation that will require real transparency about President Biden and Vice President Harris’s failure to stop the flow of illegal immigration at our Southern border.”

“We have an immigration crisis because Joe Biden has abandoned his responsibility to secure the southern border,” said Sen. Cotton. “This bill will bring needed transparency and oversight to this manufactured crisis.”

“The Biden-Harris administration is trying to hide the fact that they’ve created the worst border crisis in American history,” said Sen. Tuberville. “For nearly four years, we’ve had record numbers of illegal immigrants and deadly drugs pour across our southern border with no accountability... It’s past time for us to know who is coming across our border, and why Joe Biden and Kamala Harris are allowing them to stay here illegally on taxpayer dime."

“The Southern Border Transparency Act will increase accountability and help Congress make informed decisions as it considers ways to enhance border security and reform our broken immigration system,” said Sen. Collins.

The legislation is also cosponsored by Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senators Bill Hagerty (R-TN), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), James Lankford (R-OK), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Ted Budd (R-NC), Todd Young (R-IN), Steve Daines (R-MT), Mike Lee (R-UT), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Roger Marshall (R-KS), John Hoeven (R-ND), John Kennedy (R-LA), Ted Cruz (R-TX), Josh Hawley (R-MO), Katie Britt(R-AL) Marsha Blackburn(R-TN) Bill Cassidy(R-LA) Dan Sullivan(R-AK) Deb Fischer(R-NE).

Background:

The Biden-Harris administration’s strategy for handling migrants at the border includes funneling them into "parole" or unlawful release programs such as those for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, Venezuelan individuals, an expanded Central American Minors program including adults, and likely widespread use of parole at Ports of Entry.

Currently, limited public data exists on these programs' total number of releases into the U.S., asylum claims before release, screenings conducted or whether migrants ultimately depart from U.S soil.The Southern Border Transparency Act requires DHS reports detailing:

1.The number of migrants paroled at each POE/Border Patrol sector.

2.Migrants apprehended/released in each POE/Border Patrol sector.

3.Petitions received/granted by USCIS.

4.Total number paroled annually including work authorization status/departure details.

Last year saw unauthorized congressional actions allowing hundreds-of-thousands annual migrant paroles/releases including a two-year legal stay/work authorizations for up-to 360k from Cuba/Haiti/Nicaragua/Venezuela; additionally via CBP One app appointments involving Iran/China/Russia nationals leading decreased apprehensions but not fewer unrealistic asylum entries/remains; humanitarian releases' eligibility remains unclear while expedited removal processes lag behind initial interior releases prior credible claim determinations.

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