Biden administration stops migrant flights due to fraud discovery.
The Biden administration has recently made a significant decision to halt a controversial program that enabled tens of thousands of migrants from four nations to fly or travel directly into the United States. This move came after an internal report revealed alarming levels of fraud within the program, prompting the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take action.
According to a DHS spokesperson, the department has robust review mechanisms in place to detect and prevent fraud and abuse in immigration processes. Any instances of fraud are taken seriously, and investigations are conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with criminal referrals made to the Department of Justice when necessary.
In light of the report’s findings, DHS has temporarily paused the issuance of advanced travel authorizations for new beneficiaries. This pause will allow for a thorough review of supporter applications to ensure appropriate safeguards are in place before resuming application processing.
The program initially targeted Venezuelans when it was announced in October 2022. It permitted a limited number of individuals to enter the U.S. if they had not entered illegally, had a U.S. sponsor, and passed certain vetting processes. Subsequently, the program expanded in January 2023 to include Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Cubans, allowing up to 30,000 people per month to enter the country.
Participants in the program received work permits and a two-year authorization to live in the U.S. It also coincided with an expansion of Title 42 expulsions to include individuals from these four nationalities. However, the internal report exposed concerning patterns of fraud among program applicants, including the repeated use of social security numbers, addresses, and phone numbers.
Twenty-four out of the 1,000 most used numbers were linked to deceased individuals, while numerous physical addresses were used an excessive number of times, even including storage units. One sponsor’s phone number appeared on over 2,000 forms, and nearly 3,000 forms contained non-existent sponsor zip codes.
The Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate prepared the report to enable DHS to respond promptly to fraud in immigration benefits programs. Sponsors are required to undergo security screenings, background checks, and demonstrate financial ability to support the individuals they are sponsoring.
The decision to freeze the program is likely to spark further scrutiny, particularly from Republican critics who argue that the administration’s use of parole exceeds its congressionally granted authority. The Biden administration has defended the program as a safe and orderly means for migrants to reach the United States, emphasizing its role in reducing migration numbers.
As of October 2023, there were approximately 1.6 million applicants awaiting approval to travel to the U.S. through the program. While a legal challenge against the program was rejected earlier this year, Republican-led states are considering an appeal in response.
In conclusion, the Biden administration’s decision to pause the controversial migrant program reflects its commitment to upholding the integrity of immigration processes and safeguarding against fraudulent activities. Moving forward, thorough scrutiny and enhanced safeguards will be crucial to ensure the program’s legitimacy and effectiveness in addressing migration challenges.
