Western South Dakota News

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators John Thune (R-S.D.) and J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) have called on U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to halt the processing of new amnesty cases following recent actions by the administration. The senators expressed concerns over reports indicating that more than 350,000 individuals have had their asylum cases closed without a decision since 2022.

“As secretary of homeland security and attorney general, you are responsible for enforcing the nation’s immigration laws and preserving the integrity of lawful immigration pathways while playing an integral role in protecting America’s national security,” wrote the senators. “By removing over 350,000 individuals from what should be a thorough asylum process that is seen to completion for each distinct case, you are sending a troubling signal to would-be migrants that the asylum program is so dysfunctional that the mere filing of an asylum claim, legitimate or not, may enable remaining in the country.”

The letter continues with a critique of the Biden administration's handling of immigration: “As the Biden administration attempts to sell American voters on the idea that it has finally gotten tough on illegal immigration despite nearly 3.5 years of inaction and nearly 10 million illegal border crossings, it is simultaneously diverting attention away from recent reports that over 350,000 individuals have had their pending asylum cases terminated without either approval or denial since 2022."

The senators assert that this situation amounts to "a de facto policy of mass amnesty" which they believe undermines federal immigration law and could potentially encourage further illegal immigration.

They urge Secretary Mayorkas and Attorney General Garland to respond within 14 days and request an immediate pause on processing additional amnesty cases. The letter concludes with a call for swift action to regain control over the southern border and ensure faithful execution of national laws.

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