Trump DHS makes key move against migrants allowed in via controversial Biden parole programs
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has made a significant move in allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials to review the parole status of migrants who were brought into the country under a recent expansion of humanitarian parole by the Biden administration. This decision could potentially lead to the quick removal of these individuals from the United States.
Acting DHS Secretary Benjamine Huffman signed an internal memo on Thursday, granting ICE officials the authority to take limits off expedited removal. This process allows for the rapid removal of recently-arrived migrants if they do not claim asylum or fail to meet certain initial standards. The expanded powers now allow for expedited removal to be used anywhere in the U.S. for migrants who have been in the country for less than two years.
The memo instructs DHS officials to review the cases of immigrants who could potentially be subject to expedited removal but have not been placed in that process yet. It urges officials to consider applying expedited removal in these cases as a means of enforcement discretion. This new directive comes in light of efforts to streamline the removal process for individuals who do not meet the necessary criteria for staying in the country.
Additionally, the memo addresses migrants who were granted parole under policies that were paused, modified, or terminated by the Trump administration. It allows officers to reevaluate these cases and determine if parole status should be maintained or if removal proceedings should be initiated. Parole is described as a positive exercise of enforcement discretion, not an entitlement for any alien.
The Biden administration had implemented expanded parole programs to provide lawful pathways for migrants, with nearly 1.5 million individuals admitted under these programs. However, critics have accused the administration of abusing parole powers and allowing in migrants who should not have legally entered the country. The new directive aims to address these concerns and ensure that parole is used appropriately and in accordance with the law.
This recent memo follows earlier instructions from Huffman to review the use of parole on a case-by-case basis. It emphasizes that parole is a limited authority that should be applied in specific circumstances, not as part of broad categorical programs. ICE and Customs and Border Protection are directed to review their parole-related policies and procedures to ensure compliance with the law.
The DHS’s actions on immigration and border security have been a focal point of the Biden administration’s agenda. From sending military personnel to the border to ending refugee resettlement and conducting deportation operations, the administration is taking steps to address illegal immigration and secure the nation’s borders. ICE’s recent arrests of over 530 illegal immigrants in nationwide raids demonstrate the agency’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws and maintaining public safety.
In conclusion, the DHS’s decision to allow ICE to review parole statuses marks a significant development in immigration enforcement. By prioritizing the proper application of parole and expedited removal procedures, the administration is working to uphold the rule of law and ensure the integrity of the immigration system.
