By now, I’m sure you’ve heard that there are some rather severe problems arising at our southern border with Mexico. And all of it seems to be attributed directly to President Joe Biden’s executive orders on immigration and border security.
One such order was a 100-day deportation freeze, beginning on day one of Biden’s presidency. However, by day three, the state of Texas, which boasts the longest stretch of our southern border, has already filed a lawsuit against Biden’s admin for such a move.
And they won. The judge ruled that Biden’s actions on the matter were not only unnecessary but threatening to the American people.
Biden was quite literally forced to stop the freeze – well, kind of.
As the political left always seems to do, they found another way to basically do the exact same thing.
Enter the “interim guidelines” for the Department of Homeland Security, which was announced on February 19.
The new guidelines, much like the original deportation freeze, put limits on border security agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.
Instead of being allowed to arrest, detain, and then deport all illegal immigrants, especially those with a criminal record, they are now only allowed to pursue those who pose a “national threat.” And should ICE or CBP want to go after an immigrant who doesn’t pose an immediate “national threat,” they have to get written permission from their higher-ups.
As Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich said in a recent statement, “Blindly releasing thousands of people, including convicted criminals and those who may be spreading COVID-19 into our state, is both unconscionable and a violation of federal law. This must be stopped not to avoid a dangerous humanitarian crisis for the immigrants and the people of Arizona.”
And Brnovich isn’t the only one who has similar thoughts.
Montana’s AG, Austin Knudsen, also has a severe problem with the “current guidelines.” As his state is not right along the border, they don’t see many directly related immigration issues. However, he says citizens are still adversely affected, particularly by the drugs that are brought in.
Knudsen said, “Meth trafficked in Montana by Mexican drug cartels has wracked our state. The problem will only be made worse if the Biden administration continues to allow criminals to stay in the country. Enforcing our immigration laws and helping to keep Americans safe is one of the federal government’s most important functions. The Biden administration is failing its basic responsibility to Americans.”
And so the pair have teamed up to sue DHS for these guidelines.
According to the suite, “despite a clear mandate of federal statutory law, Defendants (DHS) believe that there are literally no constraints whatsoever on their authority, and they may release individuals, including those charged with or convicted of crimes, even when immigration courts have already ordered their removal from the United States.”
Of course, Biden admin officials argue that the new guidelines should make ICE and CBP agents’ jobs easier and more effective, as they are now only focusing on the worst of the worst.
Acting ICE Director Tae Johnson recently said, “By focusing our limited resources on cases that present threats to national security, border security, and public safety, our agency will more ably and effectively execute its law enforcement mission.”
And to some extent, that might be true. National threats will likely be put away and deported faster. But what about that criminal living down the road who has a record of abusing little girls? While maybe not a national threat, he most certainly poses a threat to the community and the lives of those living there.
Shouldn’t he be dealt with?
Biden’s DHS would say no.
And should border agents want to do so, they now have to go through a bunch of red tape, asking for permission from the top of the command chain.
It seems that both ICE and CBP will think this is far less efficient soon – at least if they are actually doing their jobs to protect American citizens.
2021 is already shaping up to be the worst we have ever seen at our southern border, with hordes of immigrants already creating record numbers. And if we are to stem that flow at all, Biden’s admin will have to start paying attention and stop ignoring the problems.