Immigrant farm workers harvest broccoli near the border town of San Luis, Arizona, March 16, 2006. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON — A top Republican on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee stated Tuesday that upon President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration and the GOP’s Senate majority, their top priority would be passing a border security package using budget reconciliation. Trump’s campaign promise of mass deportations of undocumented immigrants was central to this plan. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina outlined the Republicans’ approach at a Judiciary hearing, focusing on expanding detention center capacity, hiring more Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and investing in border technology. He asserted that early deportations are crucial for border control, arguing that without an outflow of undocumented immigrants, the influx would continue.
However, Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the pro-immigration American Immigration Council, testified that mass deportations would be incredibly expensive. He estimated that deporting 1 million people would cost approximately $88 billion annually, covering arrests, detention, and removal. This is particularly significant considering the estimated 13 million undocumented individuals residing in the United States.
The hearing, chaired by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois (then a Democrat in the Senate majority), explored the potential consequences of Trump’s mass deportation pledge. Durbin countered the Republican plan, advocating for “mass accountability” instead of mass deportations, proposing comprehensive immigration reform that balances national security with the nation’s immigrant heritage.
The Republicans’ proposed use of budget reconciliation would circumvent the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster, requiring only a majority vote in each chamber. This tactic is typically employed when one party controls the executive and legislative branches. Graham also indicated that Republicans would block alternative pathways to legal immigration status for those paroled into the country under executive authority, specifically targeting programs benefiting nationals from Haiti, Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela. His statement, “So if you’re here illegally, get ready to leave,” encapsulated the GOP’s firm stance.
Testimony included that of Foday Turay, a DACA recipient awaiting a federal court decision on the program’s legality following the Trump administration’s attempt to terminate it. A separate Monday court ruling blocked a Biden administration rule granting DACA recipients healthcare access under the Affordable Care Act. Turay, an assistant district attorney, highlighted the devastating impact deportation would have on his family, as the primary breadwinner. He described his wife’s role as primary caregiver for her disabled, cancer-stricken mother and the necessity of leaving his son behind if deported.
Another witness, Patty Morin, shared the tragic story of her daughter Rachel’s murder by a suspect who was undocumented and had a criminal record. This underscored the complexities of the issue. Senator Durbin emphasized that while Democrats support deporting criminals, Trump’s plan extended far beyond this group, encompassing individuals like Turay.
While Graham expressed hope for a DACA solution, Durbin raised concerns about Trump’s suggestion of using the National Guard for deportations. Retired Major General Randy Manner testified that utilizing the military for this purpose would be problematic, impacting military readiness, morale, recruiting, and public trust. He emphasized that immigration enforcement is the responsibility of federal law enforcement agencies.
Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted the detrimental community and financial impacts of mass deportations. Reichlin-Melnick pointed to the potential devastation for industries like construction, agriculture, and hospitality, which rely heavily on immigrant labor. He also noted that ICE already prioritizes deporting non-citizens with criminal records, with the vast majority of those targeted for mass deportation having no criminal history.
Tennessee Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn suggested empowering local law enforcement to handle deportations, a proposition supported by Art Arthur of the Center for Immigration Studies, an organization advocating for stricter immigration limits.
Last updated 3:23 p.m., Dec. 10, 2024
by Ariana Figueroa, Minnesota Reformer
December 10, 2024
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