Progressive Democrat has ‘serious concerns’ about Biden’s ‘heavy-handed’ border policies

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) said during a House committee hearing Thursday that she has “grave concerns” about President Biden's border policies.

“There's so much fear-mongering going on that it's hard to know exactly where to start. But let me start by saying: The Biden administration is enforcing immigration laws. In fact, the administration has been so heavy-handed in recent months that I have serious concerns about how they are enforcing the border,” she said. during a committee hearing. About illegal immigration and the cost of social services.

“This is especially true with respect to the administration’s regulations that limit access to asylum and the availability of expedited processing procedures for families,” she added.

Jayapal said the Biden administration has removed as many immigrants from the United States as former President Trump did during the same period in office.

“Since Title 42 ended last year, the Biden administration has expelled or returned more than 400,000 people to Mexico, including more than 65,000 family units that include children,” she said. “This total is roughly equal to the number of people fired in the entire 2019 fiscal year under President Donald Trump, so the idea that the administration is not enforcing the law is absurd.”

House Republicans have been attacking the Biden administration for months over its immigration policy, accusing it of failing to secure the border. House Republicans have also threatened to withhold funding to Ukraine until an agreement is reached on the border issue.

Jayapal also accused Republicans of using immigration policy as a political talking point.

“This hearing is designed to distract the American people from the fact that our Republican colleagues have a poor track record,” she said. “Once again, they are trying to scapegoat immigrants by making claims about welfare access for illegal immigrants.”

“But under our laws, they are not eligible for the majority of federal benefits. But beyond that, it's ridiculous to say that immigrants are straining the economy,” she added. Ta.