Since fiscal year 2021, there have been more than 9.9 million illegal immigrant encounters nationwide. Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-Texas) introduced legislation to block a Biden administration program that would provide identification cards to illegal immigrants and prevent them from accessing public benefits. The bill, HR 8441, aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for the ICE Secure Docket Card program and similar initiatives. The ICE Secure Docket Card program is intended to replace paper documents with secure cards for efficiency in dealing with illegal immigrants. Nehls criticizes the program as a waste of taxpayer money and enabling further abuse of benefits by illegal immigrants. Additionally, the bill would ban the use of documentation issued to illegal immigrants in establishing eligibility for federal public benefits. The DHS inspector general is required to submit a report on the implementation and costs of such programs within six months of the bill’s enactment. Republicans blame President Biden’s policies for the influx of illegal immigrants, citing over 9.9 million encounters since fiscal year 2021. Biden’s administration has proposed bipartisan border legislation to address the immigration system. If the number of encounters at the border reaches 5,000 per day, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary is required to close the border. The proposed legislation aims to limit the President’s parole authority, which currently allows more illegal immigrants to enter the country.
Several months ago, Republicans blocked the bill, arguing that its provisions were inadequate for securing the border. They emphasized the absence of a provision to reinstate former President Donald Trump’s Remain in Mexico policy, which many Republicans view as essential for effective border security measures.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) acknowledged that the bill was facing opposition from members of both parties. He stated, “I do not expect all Democrats to support this legislation. Many of our colleagues do not support some of the provisions in this legislation, nor do I expect all Republicans to agree to every provision.”
Schumer added, “But that is often how bipartisan legislation must be crafted when addressing a complex and politically charged issue like our nation’s immigration laws.”
In a letter to his colleagues on May 19, Senator Schumer expressed his commitment to passing the bill through the Senate.
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