Cruz warns that 'open border policies' are undermining airport security, he claims.
Ted Cruz has demanded clarification on various Biden administration policies.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, is raising concerns about the safety risks posed by the Biden administration's "open border policies" on airport security, claiming that weaknesses in vetting could be putting people in danger.
DHS, specifically TSA, must provide an explanation of how they are addressing the negative impact of the administration's open border policies on airport security and the safety of Americans, as stated by Cruz, the ranking member of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Cruz has been inquiring different agencies and airports regarding the impact of migration on airport safety and security, specifically concerning the housing of migrants at several significant U.S. airports.
In his letter to Mayorkas, Cruz emphasized three ways that he believes "the administration's open border policies are weakening airport security."
The parole processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) enable up to 30,000 migrants from those countries to enter the U.S. via humanitarian parole. However, the program has been temporarily halted due to a high incidence of fraud in sponsor applications.
Nearly 96% of those who received an appointment through the CBP One app were approved for entry into the country.
The DHS OIG report criticized the app's use of data and its inability to access all biometric data, as pointed out by the Republican senator.
As unvetted aliens enter the country, TSA has assigned air marshals, who are responsible for protecting planes in the sky, to assist CBP with administrative tasks at the southern border.
He also reiterated his prior concerns about sheltering migrants at airports in Chicago, Boston, and New York since the middle of 2023. Additionally, he raised concerns about the release of migrants brought to the U.S. by an ISIS-tied group. Earlier this year, eight people with suspected ISIS ties were arrested across the country.
He stated that airports are still a tempting target for those seeking to harm this nation and its people.
Cruz is requesting all documents related to airport security, illegal immigrants, sheltering, vetting, screening, and fraud found in parole programs.
He is also looking for information on the number of migrants arriving at airports, the actions taken to remove illegal immigrants, and the documents related to the shelter of migrants at multiple airports.
The ongoing border crisis continues to spark debate, with the Biden administration advocating for more funding and reforms, while highlighting the success of expanded lawful pathways in reducing border numbers.
The crisis, according to Republicans, was caused by Biden's policies and the repeal of Trump's actions.
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