Rep. Marcus Luttrell, R-Texas, has put forth a new bill that aims to enhance national security by requiring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to report any crimes committed by individuals admitted into the U.S. under the Biden-era immigration policy. The proposed legislation, known as the Criminal Illegal Alien Report Act, seeks to provide Congress with detailed information on criminal activities involving individuals admitted under the Process for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) program.
The CHNV program, initiated during the Biden administration, allowed for the parole of asylum seekers from Venezuela, Cuba, Haiti, and Nicaragua into the United States. While the program was intended to reduce illegal border crossings by land, it did not curb the overall influx of migrants into the country. Notably, the program required beneficiaries to enter the U.S. via air travel and be paroled at designated airport ports of entry.
Criticism of the CHNV program intensified following incidents involving individuals admitted under the policy. One such case involved a Venezuelan national, Jose Ibarra, who was paroled into the U.S. under CHNV and later committed a violent crime resulting in the death of a University of Georgia student. Another beneficiary of the program was arrested for alleged sexual abuse of a minor in Virginia.
Former President Donald Trump terminated the CHNV program through an executive order shortly after taking office, citing concerns over public safety. However, more than 50,000 individuals had already been paroled into the U.S. under the program at various airport entry points nationwide.
Rep. Luttrell emphasized the importance of obtaining accurate data on crimes committed by CHNV beneficiaries to inform security measures and protect American communities. The proposed bill aims to equip Congress with essential information to collaborate with the government in enhancing security protocols and preventing threats to public safety.
As the legislative process unfolds, stakeholders will closely monitor developments related to the Criminal Illegal Alien Report Act and its potential impact on immigration policies and national security efforts.
