House Judiciary Committee Questioning of DHS Head Highlights Immigration Program Critiques
Washington, D.C. – In a heated House Judiciary Committee hearing on Wednesday, Republican lawmakers interrogated the Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Ur Jaddou, regarding the Biden administration’s parole program, which allows temporary protections for nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Rep. Tom McClintock, chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, accused USCIS of creating “unlawful” pathways through humanitarian parole, an authority utilized by presidents since the 1950s. Until now, President Biden’s program, initiated in 2022, has paroled over 500,000 individuals. Committee chair Jim Jordan probed Jaddou on the historical use of such extensive parole programs.
Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal defended the program, asserting that immigrants are vital to the U.S. workforce and that their contributions bolster various sectors. She highlighted the challenges faced by USCIS, primarily funded by immigrant filing fees, with 96% of its budget reliant on these payments.
Questions about potential fraud within the parole program arose, particularly regarding an investigation that led to a temporary pause in applications earlier this year. Rep. Andy Biggs pressed Jaddou for numbers on parolee status changes, expressing frustration at the absence of information. Jaddou acknowledged previous issues and outlined enhancements such as biometric requirements and re-training to detect fraud.
The agency, responsible for various immigration applications, faces criticism for its backlog and difficulties in processing green cards, with some lawmakers accusing it of neglecting legitimate applicants. In response to these concerns, Jaddou maintained the agency’s focus and denied any diversion of resources. As immigration remains a contentious issue, the hearing underscores the diverging perspectives on the effectiveness and necessity of current immigration pathways.
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