Amidst the ongoing border crisis and with the upcoming election looming, Rep. Jim Banks (R-Ind.) has proposed a bill that seeks to dismantle a range of immigration policies implemented by the Biden administration. The ‘End Executive Branch Amnesty Act’ targets the administration’s use of humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which Republicans argue have contributed to an influx of migrants entering the United States.
The bill specifically targets the Biden administration’s reliance on parole to admit migrants via the CBP One app. This program has facilitated the entry of approximately 1,450 migrants per day, as part of the administration’s broader strategy to establish legal pathways for migration and alleviate the strain at the border. Additionally, the bill takes aim at the use of TPS, which shields migrants from deportation due to conflict or hardship in their home countries.
Banks argues that the administration’s use of parole and TPS represents an abuse of power, allowing for the admission of individuals who may not otherwise qualify to enter the country. He points to towns such as Charleroi, Pa., Springfield, Ohio, and Logansport, Indiana, which have experienced an influx of migrants, highlighting the burden placed on local communities.
His bill proposes a hard cap of 1,000 individuals per year for parole, a significant reduction from the current rate. Parole would be permitted only in limited situations, such as emergency medical cases. The legislation also seeks to restrict the use of TPS, requiring congressional approval for 12-month terms and further congressional action to extend these terms.
While the bill faces significant hurdles in a Democratic-controlled Senate and is likely to be vetoed by President Biden, it has garnered considerable support within Republican circles. Banks emphasizes the need to restore Congress’s authority in immigration matters and ensure that parole is only utilized as a last resort in dire circumstances.
The bill’s introduction comes as both President Trump and Vice President Harris campaign on their respective immigration policies. Harris has cited a recent decline in border encounters as evidence of the Biden administration’s success in managing the situation, while Trump blames the administration for reversing his policies and promises to reinstate them should he regain office.
The upcoming election will undoubtedly be influenced by the ongoing border crisis and the clashing visions for immigration policy presented by the two major political parties. Rep. Banks’ proposal underscores the Republicans’ commitment to challenging the Biden administration’s approach to immigration, setting the stage for a contentious debate in the months to come.
