Release of Illegal Immigrants to NGOs
Lawmakers have been informed that an average of 5,000 illegal immigrants are being released each day to non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These organizations provide migrants with assistance and sometimes help them reach their destinations. If this pace continues throughout the year, it would result in over 1.8 million illegal entrants.
Processing and Release at Ports of Entry
At the ports of entry, an average of 1,600 migrants are being processed and released daily under the CBP One app, using humanitarian parole. This authority, set by Congress, is to be used on a “case-by-case basis” for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Republicans have attempted to limit its use, accusing the administration of abuse, while officials deny these claims. Border Patrol agents have encountered migrants from over 150 countries.
Record-breaking Numbers
The border reached a daily record when over 12,000 migrants arrived in a single day. This comes after a record-setting 2.4 million encounters in FY23 and an all-time monthly high of over 260,000 in September. Since October 1, the start of the new fiscal year, there have been over 440,000 encounters. In the Tucson Sector, which has seen a recent surge in mostly male adult migrants, agents are outnumbered 200 to 1 in the field.
Call for Additional Border Funding
The Biden administration has requested $14 billion in additional border funding from Congress. This includes funding for migrant care, expedited removal costs, and assistance for cities. However, Republicans have blocked this request, seeking to impose stricter asylum screening standards and reduce parole use. Some Democrats have expressed reservations about these proposals.
The Administration’s Perspective
The administration acknowledges a hemisphere-wide crisis and claims that the system is broken. They have called for funding and immigration reform to address the situation. They highlight an expansion of “lawful migration pathways” while asserting that consequences for illegal entry have increased since the end of Title 42 in May.
Working with Mexico
When asked about efforts to work with Mexico to stop migrants from riding trains to the border, officials mentioned concerns about the safety and security of noncitizens. However, no specific details were provided regarding prevention of migrants boarding trains.
Open to Compromises
President Biden has expressed openness to “significant compromises” to resolve the border crisis. However, DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defended the administration’s handling of the situation and indicated that some Republican proposals were not viable. Mayorkas emphasized the importance of addressing the issue while upholding the country’s values and international obligations.