Texas Republicans are criticizing the Biden administration’s parole program for four nationalities. This is on top of the number of migrants already flowing across the border after it was revealed this week that the top three countries for migrants under the program are in Texas.
“This is just another layer of the whole thing that we’re dealing with,” Republican Rep. Chip Roy of Texas said in an interview on Fox News Digital. “But that’s what people need to understand: This is a very specific program designed to exploit parole and flood the system.”
FOX News this week about how official statistics show that nearly 200,000 immigrants entered the United States through parole programs for four nationalities in the eight-month period from January to August 2023. Reported. The majority of those arrived in Florida, but three of his top 15 destinations were in Texas: Austin, Dallas and Houston. At that time, more than 10,000 immigrants visited these airports.
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Rep. Chip Roy is introducing a new bill aimed at allowing people to sue over side effects of COVID-19 vaccines. (Getty Images)
The policy was first announced for Venezuelans in October 2022 and is limited to Venezuelans, provided they are not in the country illegally, already have a sponsor in the United States, and pass certain biometric and background checks. It allowed those who were admitted to the United States to fly or travel directly to the United States. The program itself does not facilitate flights and immigrants are responsible for their own travel.
In January 2023, the administration announced it would expand the program to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans, allowing up to 30,000 people per month to enter the United States. It was announced that immigrants will be able to obtain work permits and two-year residence permits in the United States. Alongside the expansion of Title 42 deportations to include these nationalities. By the end of February 2024, more than 400,000 citizens had arrived under the parole program, according to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently said the program is a “safe and orderly way to reach the United States” and has “led to a reduction in the number of individuals of these nationalities.”
“This is a key element of our efforts to address the unprecedented levels of migration across the hemisphere, and other countries around the world need to ensure this We see it as a model for tackling the challenges of growth.” mayorkas said.
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U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas supported the program. (Candice Ward/Getty Images)
DHS said people entering the United States under the program undergo and clear “rigorous security screening” and other eligibility criteria.
“These processes are published online, and DHS regularly provides the public with updates on their use. “This is part of the government’s strategy to reduce migration and prevent people from migrating irregularly, which has so far kept hundreds of thousands of people,” the spokesperson said. told Fox News Digital last month.
But Republicans argue that the system abuses parole limits set by Congress, which uses that power on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or in the vital public interest. It is said that it must be done. It also comes amid an ongoing border crisis that the Biden administration blames on a lack of resources and a “broken” immigration system that needs reform, while Republicans blame Biden administration policies.
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Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) said in a statement to Fox News, “The invasion at our southern border has turned every city in America into a border city. Let’s fly illegal aliens across the country. The reason for this is the Biden administration’s efforts to Digital.
“Programs like Biden’s expedited processing and CHNV parole programs will only push the border crisis further into the country. Our national security is being further undermined by the Biden administration every day,” he said. Ta. “In Texas, Houston, Dallas, and Austin have been particularly hard hit by the opening of the border, and Biden has found himself having to roll out the red carpet to help tens of thousands of illegal aliens.”
Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) was asked on “The Brian Kilmeade Show” if he thought the show was okay.
“No,” he said. Mr. Cornyn previously criticized the administration’s use of parole as a “sham.”
Roy told Fox that the historic crisis, which saw more than 2.4 million migrants at the border last year, has had a “severe” impact on the state, and that he is concerned that more migrants are entering the country by plane. He said he believes Texans will be angry. .
“So the impact is severe,” Roy said. “With this parole program, I think Texans are going to say, ‘Wait a minute. Are you saying we’re going to flood people across the border and fly people directly into our airports and into our communities?’ And that’s what people I think it will continue to increase the frustration that people feel.”
As for Republicans bringing change to Washington, Roy blamed the current impasse on Speaker Mike Johnson, who let go of the influence of Ukrainian funds to fix the border, and whether he will act to secure the border or not. He said it’s up to the governor.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 6: Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) speaks during a press conference on the US southern border at the U.S. Capitol on February 6, 2024 in Washington, DC. Senate Republicans held a press conference to discuss the lack of support for the bipartisan Senate immigration bill announced over the weekend. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
(Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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“A lot of the influence has been relinquished. So I think this is more of a reason for the state of Texas to do what it has to do, for the governors to do what they have to do. Frankly, the federal government for I have forsaken you,” he said. “This is why we elect Donald Trump. Yes, this is why we’re going to send Republicans to the House and Senate. So at least we can have a real debate about border security.”
Fox News’ Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.
