At a Glance
- Over 3 million illegal border crossers from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) reported under Biden-Harris administration
- DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas defends parole programs despite federal judges ruling them illegal
- Republican members of Congress cite these programs as grounds for impeaching Mayorkas
- The influx raises substantial national security and crime concerns
- Total CHNV illegal crossings exceed the populations of 17 U.S. states
Unprecedented Surge in Illegal Border Crossings
The Biden-Harris administration has presided over an alarming increase in illegal border crossings since taking office. U.S. Customs and Border Protection data reveals that a staggering 2,496,080 illegal border crossers from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV) were encountered during fiscal years 2021-2024. When including an additional 531,000 individuals released through the CHNV program, the total rises to at least 3,027,080 from these countries alone.
This unprecedented influx has raised serious concerns about national security and the strain on local communities. The total number of illegal border crossers from CHNV countries exceeds the populations of 17 U.S. states and is equivalent to more than 67 U.S. Army Corps, highlighting the magnitude of this crisis.
“Biden told reporters before the meeting that he wanted Harris to be the point person on the border, to speak decisively for the administration. And in a call to reporters after the announcement, a senior official told reporters unequivocally that Harris’s focus would be on the… https://t.co/yxH80Rgp8Q
— Jason Miyares (@JasonMiyaresVA) July 28, 2024
Controversial Parole Program and Legal Challenges
At the heart of this crisis is the parole program implemented by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. Despite Mayorkas’ claims that the CHNV and other parole programs are legal, federal judges have ruled otherwise. This has sparked intense political and legal debates, with Republican members of Congress citing these programs as grounds for impeaching Mayorkas.
The controversy surrounding these programs intensified by the fact that Cuba and Nicaragua are designated as Countries of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations. The U.S. State Department has cited “systematic, ongoing, egregious violations of religious freedom” in these nations. Additionally, Cuba is labeled a State Sponsor of Terrorism, raising questions about the vetting process for individuals entering the United States from these countries.
Impact on Individual CHNV Countries
The breakdown of illegal border crossers from each CHNV country reveals the extent of the crisis. Cuban illegal border crossers under the Biden-Harris administration total over 786,000, the highest in U.S. history. Nearly 700,000 Haitian illegal border crossers have been reported, with local communities facing increased crime and costs as a result.
Over 536,000 Nicaraguan illegal border crossers have entered the country, with policies seemingly facilitating weaponized migration. Perhaps most alarmingly, nearly one million Venezuelan illegal border crossers have been reported, including members of the notorious Tren De Aragua gang.
Biden’s self-inflicted border crisis has exploded the cost of illegal immigration at the federal, state, and local levels.
The surge of illegal crossings has resulted in an unprecedented surge of illegal migrant encounters, weapons, and an influx of deadly drugs at our Southwest…
— House Budget GOP (@housebudgetGOP) June 21, 2024
National Security and Economic Implications
The sheer volume of illegal border crossers from CHNV countries poses significant challenges to national security and the economy. With many of these individuals coming from countries with questionable human rights records and ties to terrorism, the potential risks cannot be overlooked.
The U.S. State Department reported “torture, prolonged detention without charges, forced disappearance, or other flagrant denial of life, liberty, or security of persons,” in describing conditions in some of these countries.
The strain on local communities, increased crime rates, and the economic burden of processing and supporting such a large influx of illegal immigrants are issues that cannot be ignored. As the debate over immigration policy continues, it is clear that the Biden-Harris administration’s approach has led to a crisis of unprecedented proportions at the southern border.
