The state of immigration in the United States has become a pressing issue, with the Biden administration’s policies facing significant criticism.
One prominent voice advocating for change is Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody.
In response to a scathing Florida Statewide Grand Jury report, Moody went to Washington, D.C. to meet with congressional leaders and push for legislation that would allow states to enforce federal immigration laws.
“Despite the Biden administration’s countless claims that the border is secure, our immigration litigation, multiple congressional hearings, this damning grand jury report, and frankly our own eyes, show that is not true. The border is wide open, and this derelict president refuses to fix it. I traveled to D.C. to meet with congressional leaders and let them know; because Biden is unwilling to fix the border and prioritize national security, the states should be able to step in to protect their citizens,” said Moody in a statement.
Read: National Monument In Arizona Covered In Feces, Trash, Thanks To Surge In Illegal Immigration
The Statewide Grand Jury Report
Attorney General Moody’s visit to Washington, D.C. was prompted by the release of the Fifth Presentment of the Twenty-First Statewide Grand Jury, which highlights the impact of Biden’s immigration policies on the surge of individuals at the U.S. Southwest border.
According to the report, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol encountered over 3 million aliens during fiscal year 2022, with only a third of them being denied entry.
Shockingly, this number is nearly equivalent to the number of children born in America during the same period.
The report reveals alarming statistics, with approximately 700,000 individuals entering the country illegally and evading law enforcement. Additionally, more than 140,000 unaccompanied alien children were released into the interior, while over 400,000 individuals arrived by exploiting the CBP One app and other parole programs.
Cartels were found to be profiting from the app, even hacking it using a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to schedule their “transit visas through Mexico.”
These revelations underscore the urgent need for action to address the border crisis.
Meeting with Congressional Leaders
Attorney General Moody met with several congressional leaders during her visit to Washington, D.C. to discuss the Statewide Grand Jury Report and the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act.
Among those she met were House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, Congressman Carlos Gimenez, Congresswoman Laurel Lee, and Congressman Chip Roy.
These individuals hold key positions on committees that oversee immigration-related legislation and homeland security.
The purpose of these meetings was to deliver copies of the Statewide Grand Jury Report and H.R. 1337, the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act, while engaging in discussions about potential future action.
Attorney General Moody stressed that the Biden administration has failed to secure the border and prioritize national security.
She emphasized that states should be empowered to protect their citizens in the absence of federal action.
Read: House Republicans Rail Against Possible Extension Of Warrantless Surveillance Program
The Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act
The Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act, also known as H.R. 1337, is a crucial piece of legislation that Attorney General Moody has been advocating for.
This act authorizes state attorney generals to request in writing that the Department of Homeland Security fulfill certain duties related to immigration enforcement.
If DHS fails to fulfill these duties within 30 days, the state’s officials would be authorized to carry them out or sue DHS for non-compliance.
Moody has been a vocal proponent of the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act, working closely with Florida Congressman Bill Posey to craft the legislation.
Despite their efforts, the bill has yet to receive a hearing.
In a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Moody highlights the need for immediate action, pointing out that Florida has taken the Biden administration to court and won multiple times.
However, she stresses that more needs to be done to address the urgent crisis unfolding at the border.
“I like to believe we at least slowed the invasion to some degree. However, it is becoming clear that the judicial system is not an adequate battlefield to quickly address the urgent crisis Biden has created,” Moody wrote.
Urgent Action Required
The failure to secure the border and address the immigration crisis has prompted Attorney General Moody to take a proactive stance.
She asserts that while the judicial system has played a role in slowing the invasion to some degree, it is not sufficient to tackle the scale of the problem. Urgent action is required, and empowering states to enforce federal immigration laws is a step in the right direction.
During her visit to Washington, D.C., Attorney General Moody made it clear that the states should be able to step in and protect their citizens when the federal government fails to do so.
With the border wide open and the surge of individuals continuing, it is evident that immediate measures are necessary to address the national security implications.
Read: Border Patrol Calls In Reinforcements To Help Area Overwhelmed By Migrants
The Impact on Florida
The Statewide Grand Jury Report reveals that close to 1 million individuals residing in Florida are in the country illegally.
This staggering number highlights the direct impact of the border crisis on individual states.
Florida, like many other states, has taken legal action against the Biden administration’s immigration policies. However, the need for further intervention and enforcement remains.
Attorney General Moody’s meetings with congressional leaders aimed to garner support for addressing the specific challenges faced by Florida.
By presenting the Statewide Grand Jury Report and the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act, she hopes to rally federal lawmakers to take immediate action to protect the citizens of Florida and other affected states.
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