Congresswoman Harriet Hageman recently introduced the Visa Integrity Preservation Act, a bill to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to close the loophole that has allowed the Biden administration to grant mass amnesty to over 500,000 immigrants who illegally entered the United States or overstayed a visa. This would require illegal aliens under all circumstances to depart the United States and be subject to an interview before they could receive a nonimmigrant visa. The bill would also bar them from reentering the United States under certain de ned circumstances.
Congresswoman Hageman stated, “The Biden/Harris open border policies have allowed over 12 million unvetted migrants to illegally enter our country. Their blatant and intentional refusal to enforce immigration laws is well documented in President Biden’s nearly 100 executive orders that are designed to subvert safeguards against illegal entry, including “Parole in Place” orders. Allowing individuals to register for lawful status a er already being in America is a huge incentive for illegal immigration – and exactly the opposite of what the Immigration and Nationality Act intends. My bill will close this loophole and reestablish proper parole procedures.”
Background
On June 18, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced a new initiative granting amnesty to an estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants. This allows spouses and children present illegally to register for lawful status without having to leave the country, known as “parole in place.” President
Biden’s executive action exploits a provision of the INA that allows the Secretary of State to waive the in-person consular interview requirement. As written, waivers can be granted only where in the national interest of the United States or where necessary as a result of unusual or emergent circumstances. The INA does not authorize a blanket policy of issuing waivers to illegal immigrants.
Reader Comments(0)