Hundreds of thousands of immigrants have flown into Texas and Florida as part of expanded immigration parole procedures put in place by President Joe Biden, according to government data.
The data, analyzed by the Center for Immigration Studies, shows that at least 386,000 immigrants have been flown and paroled into the United States from October 2022 through February. The vast majority of these immigrants have landed in either Florida or Texas, with over 326,000 initially arriving at the Miami International Airport.
This increase in immigration parole procedures began in October 2022 for Venezuelans and was expanded in January 2023 to include Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Colombians. The program allows aspiring illegal border-crossers to arrange commercial airline passage for themselves, and then receive temporary but renewable "humanitarian parole" from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the airport. The program has since been expanded to include Guatemalans, El Salvadorans, Hondurans, and Ecuadorians.
It is worth noting that the figures only reflect an initial landing in the United States, once the immigrants have secured plane tickets from their home countries. It is unclear where the immigrants' final destination is once they arrive in the U.S. This program has faced criticism from those who argue that it could contribute to an increase in illegal immigration at the southern border.
The White House has defended the expansion of immigration parole, stating that it is aimed at providing more legal pathways to immigration and reducing pressure on the southern border. However, the issue of illegal immigration continues to be a pressing one, with record levels of immigration being reported during Biden's presidency. In fact, a recent caravan of about 2,000 immigrants began their journey toward the U.S. from Tapachula, Mexico in early March.
In a video taken of the group, one man can be heard urging the caravan on, shouting "a la frontera," which translates to "To the border." The increasing numbers of illegal immigrants arriving at the U.S. border have sparked debates and conversations about the country's immigration policies and the need for reformation.
Despite the substantial number of immigrants being flown and paroled into the country, it should also be noted that these individuals have gone through the proper legal channels and have received approval from CBP officers to enter the United States. The program also showcases the diversity of nationalities seeking asylum in the U.S., with a total of nine nationalities now eligible for this process.
It remains to be seen how this expansion of immigration parole procedures will impact the ongoing issue of illegal immigration at the southern border. The Biden administration's approach to immigration has been met with both support and criticism, with advocates of stricter immigration policies calling for the government to take stronger action to address the issue.
As this program continues to be implemented, it is likely that further discussions and debates will arise surrounding immigration policies and their impact on the country. With the issue of illegal immigration being a complex and pressing one, it is important for policymakers to carefully consider and evaluate the consequences of any actions taken.