‘Restore order’: Bill to limit Biden-era immigration powers gets renewed push under Trump
A new bill aimed at strictly limiting programs used by the Biden administration to allow migrants into the U.S. and protect them from deportation is being re-introduced in Congress. The End Unaccountable Amnesty Act, introduced by Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., and Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, seeks to restrict the use of humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for migrants.
The Biden administration has utilized parole to admit 1,450 migrants a day at the border using the CBP One app, as well as allowing over 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the U.S. through a separate program. President Trump recently ordered an end to both practices.
Additionally, TPS has been used to protect migrants from countries facing conflict and hardship from deportation, with designations extended in the final days of the administration. The bill would require Congress to approve TPS designations for 12-month terms and impose stricter criteria for parole, limiting it to 1,000 a year for emergency cases.
The legislation would also establish stricter eligibility and placement standards for unaccompanied children and prohibit the use of DHS documents like Notices to Appear for airport security checks. Sen. Banks and Rep. Nehls argue that the bill is necessary to prevent future administrations from exploiting parole and TPS to grant legal status to non-citizens and address the strain on communities caused by mass immigration.
With the Senate now controlled by Republicans, the bill has a better chance of passing, as a number of Democrats have shown support for restrictionist immigration measures. Recent bipartisan efforts include the Laken Riley Act to detain illegal immigrants charged with theft-related crimes and a bill to reinstate the Trump-era Remain in Mexico policy.
As immigration continues to be a top priority for voters, the re-introduction of the End Unaccountable Amnesty Act reflects ongoing efforts to reform immigration policies and address the challenges posed by mass migration.
