Central Louisiana News

U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy and John Cornyn, along with 24 Republican colleagues, have introduced the Southern Border Transparency Act. This legislation aims to require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide accurate data on how they are handling migrants encountered at the border and make this information available to the public.

The bill seeks to address concerns over the Biden administration's catch-and-release policy, which has been heavily criticized by Republicans. Under this policy, migrants encountered at the border are often released into the United States without undergoing proper screening or having their asylum claims assessed.

Senator Cassidy expressed his concern about the national security implications of this policy, stating, "Joe Biden’s welcome and release border policy is an ongoing threat to our national security." He emphasized the need for accurate reporting on migrants entering the country.

Senator Cornyn echoed these sentiments, highlighting the administration's efforts to hide the extent of illegal immigration at the southern border. He argued that Americans deserve to know the exact number of migrants being released into the country and the consequences of the administration's actions.

The Southern Border Transparency Act aims to shed light on the Biden administration's catch-and-release practices by requiring DHS to report the following information:

- The number of migrants paroled at each Port of Entry (POE) and in each Border Patrol sector

- The number of migrants apprehended at each POE and in each Border Patrol sector, and the outcomes of their cases (voluntary departure, expedited removal, or release into the interior)

- The number of petitions for parole received and granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

- The total number of migrants paroled into the United States each fiscal year, their work authorization status, and whether they ultimately depart the United States when their parole expires.

Currently, limited public data is available on the number of people released into the U.S. under various parole programs, whether they make asylum claims, and whether they ultimately leave the country. The Southern Border Transparency Act aims to address this lack of transparency and provide the American people with a comprehensive understanding of the situation at the border.

The Biden administration has implemented several parole programs, including the Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan parole program, an expanded Central American Minors program, and the use of parole at Ports of Entry. These programs have allowed for hundreds of thousands of migrants to be paroled and released into the United States annually.

The introduction of the Southern Border Transparency Act comes as the Biden administration faces criticism for its handling of the border crisis. Republicans argue that the administration's policies have led to a surge in illegal immigration and pose a threat to national security.

By requiring DHS to provide accurate and complete data on catch-and-release practices, Senators Cassidy, Cornyn, and their colleagues hope to hold the Biden administration accountable and provide the American people with a clear understanding of the situation at the southern border.

To learn more, click on this link: https://www.cassidy.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/cassidy-cornyn-republican-colleagues-introduce-bill-forcing-biden-administration-to-make-catch-and-release-data-public