The Biden administration’s efforts to manage the ongoing crisis at the US-Mexico border have come under intense scrutiny, particularly their use of humanitarian parole programs to allow migrants legal entry into the country. These programs, hailed by the administration as a means to create ‘lawful pathways’ for migrants, have allowed over 1.3 million individuals into the US since their inception less than two years ago.
Two primary avenues exist: The first allows migrants to schedule appointments at ports of entry using the CBP One app, with a daily limit of 1,450 individuals. The second program focuses on nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, allowing migrants with sponsors to apply for authorization to enter the US without physically going to the border. Upon approval and vetting, they can fly or transport themselves to the country, with a monthly cap of 30,000 entrants.
While the administration touts a sharp decrease in border encounters since implementing these programs, concerns regarding their legality and effectiveness persist. Republican lawmakers have repeatedly denounced the use of parole as unlawful, claiming it violates the law’s intended purpose of granting parole on a ‘case by case’ basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit.
Furthermore, the administration has faced criticism over reports of crimes committed by individuals admitted under these programs. Notably, a Haitian migrant accused of molesting a young boy in Massachusetts highlights a growing concern about the potential risks associated with large-scale migrant admissions.
Further exacerbating the situation, internal reports revealed instances of fraud within the program for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan nationals. This led to a temporary suspension of the program before its resumption with new safeguards in place. The administration maintains that all entrants undergo rigorous vetting and screening by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before arrival, emphasizing the safety and orderliness of the process.
However, questions remain about the capacity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to adequately address the potential issue of overstaying migrants. ICE sources have expressed concerns about their insufficient workforce and resources to find and deport a large population of individuals who may overstay their authorized time in the country.
Amidst these controversies, former President Donald Trump has renewed his commitment to dismantling the Biden administration’s immigration policies, including the CBP One app and the various uses of parole. He vows to end the ‘migrant invasion’ by terminating migrant flights, halting illegal entries, and revoking deportation immunity.
The ongoing debate over the Biden administration’s immigration strategy highlights the complex challenges surrounding border security and migrant admissions. While the administration emphasizes its efforts to create safe and orderly pathways for migrants, concerns remain about the legality, effectiveness, and potential consequences of these programs.
