President Joe Biden's Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released more than a million migrants into the United States through a parole pipeline, a foreign population that exceeds the populations of six states. The system has transformed the U.S.-Mexico border into a European-style checkpoint, allowing many border crossers to be stopped, briefly detained, and then released into the nation’s interior.
From late January 2021 to February 2023, more than 880,000 migrants have been released into American communities through the parole pipeline. The figure indicates that through this system alone, the Biden administration has imported a foreign population that exceeds six states: Wyoming, Vermont, Alaska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Delaware.
The parole pipeline has been used to bring over 75,000 Afghans to America as well as nearly 120k Ukrainian nationals. State officials in Florida successfully sued the administration for imposing an unprecedented parole pipeline and now another similar case is currently pending before Supreme Court.
John Adamski from Immigration Law Institute said "This decision by President Biden's administration poses significant challenges for local governments struggling with limited resources." He added that "American citizens will bear additional burdens on their infrastructure due to increased demand."
State representatives are divided on this issue; some appreciate humanitarian aspects while others argue about potential security risks associated with releasing such large numbers of people without proper vetting process in place. As one state representative stated:
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody commented on her state's successful lawsuit against federal government saying:
With a pending Supreme Court case, other states may take similar legal actions against Biden administration’s policy. The ultimate decision will likely shape future immigration policies for years to come, as well as affect millions of lives both within US borders and beyond.
In response to this controversy, DHS Spokesperson Sarah Matthews said:
As America grapples with its role in global migration patterns, the debate surrounding parole pipelines continues to intensify – pitting humanitarian concerns against economic and security considerations.