Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) data released in September revealed tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with sexual assault and homicide convictions could be loose in the U.S. right now.These violent offenders should have never been allowed entry to our country.They certainly shouldn’t still be here roaming free. I’m working with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) on the BE GONE Act to deport individuals with these convictions currently in the country and block those seeking to enter. Sadly, this is just another example of the dangers facing communities across America after three and a half years of open border policies from the Biden-Harris administration.
One of the most concerning aspects of these open border policies has been the administration’s abuse of parole. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have allowed an unprecedented number of illegal immigrants to roam the U.S. freely. Under the Obama and Trump administrations, an average of around 5,600 people per year were granted parole into this country. In 2022, under the Biden-Harris abuse of parole, that number was estimated to be close to 1.2 million people. That’s about two-thirds the entire population of Nebraska.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, parole should only be granted on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian need or significant public benefit.The law is clear. Our parole system is supposed to be for individuals with special circumstances. It’s not meant to be amnesty for those who just want to come here and work or worse, hide from their criminal past.
