The United States’ immigration landscape has been intensely debated and controversial. Against this backdrop, two prominent Republican senators, J.D. Vance of Ohio and John Thune of South Dakota, have taken a firm stance, calling on the Biden administration to provide answers regarding its apparent “mass amnesty” of asylum seekers.
In a scathing letter addressed to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland, Senators Vance, and Thune have expressed grave concerns over reports that over 350,000 individuals have had their pending asylum cases terminated without approval or denial since 2022.
This, they argue, amounts to a “de facto policy of mass amnesty” that not only violates federal immigration laws but may also serve as a “pull factor” for further illegal immigration, exacerbating the ongoing humanitarian and national security crisis at the southern border.
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In their letter, Senators Vance and Thune have outlined a series of pressing questions that they believe the Biden administration must address. These questions delve into the specifics of the asylum case terminations, the vetting process, and the potential consequences for both the individuals affected and the broader implications for the nation’s security.
The senators have raised concerns about the apparent discrepancy between the reported high rate of asylum case terminations and the actual final removal orders issued. They have asked the administration to clarify whether the 22% rate of final removal orders excludes cases that were dismissed, administratively closed, or otherwise shelved, which could create the illusion of a higher deportation rate.
They also demanded answers regarding the vetting process for the individuals whose asylum cases were terminated. They have inquired about the methods used to confirm their identities, the criminal record checks conducted, and the overall thoroughness of the vetting process to ensure that these individuals do not pose a threat to national security or public safety.
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Furthermore, the senators have expressed concerns about the administration’s ability to monitor and hold accountable the individuals whose asylum cases were terminated. They have questioned whether these individuals will be subject to deportation if they commit crimes in the future and whether the government has the necessary mechanisms to locate them should any derogatory information emerge at a later time.
In their letter, Senators Vance and Thune have made it clear that they believe the Biden administration’s actions have undermined the integrity of the asylum system and the enforcement of immigration laws.
They have called for a pause in the processing of any new amnesty cases and have demanded a comprehensive response to their questions within 14 days.
“As secretary of homeland security and attorney general, you are responsible for enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and preserving the integrity of lawful immigration pathways, while playing an integral role in protecting America’s national security,” wrote Senators Vance and Thune. “By removing over 350,000 individuals from what should be a thorough asylum process that is seen to completion for each distinct case, you are sending a troubling signal to would-be migrants that the asylum program is so dysfunctional that the mere filing of an asylum claim, legitimate or not, may enable remaining in the country.”
The senators have also inquired about the decision-making process behind the mass termination of asylum cases, asking which federal agencies outside of the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice were involved in influencing, facilitating, or opposing this decision.
They have sought to understand the internal dynamics and the potential political or ideological factors that may have contributed to this policy shift.
By terminating a significant number of asylum cases without a thorough adjudication process, the senators argue that the administration is undermining the credibility of the asylum system and sending a message that the mere filing of an asylum claim, regardless of its merits, can enable individuals to remain in the country.
This, they believe, could incentivize further illegal immigration and undermine the efforts to maintain the integrity of lawful immigration pathways.
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