A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General has raised concerns about the national security implications of the Biden-Harris administration’s catch-and-release migrant programs. The report found that Customs and Border Protection is releasing noncitizens into the US without proper identification, contrary to federal law, which inadvertently increases national security risks.
The report noted that in fiscal 2023, CBP encountered 2.4 million migrants on the southern border, with most being released into the country. However, federal law requires that noncitizens without identification be detained, as they are not admissible into the country. The Biden-Harris administration has circumvented this law by using its parole power to release migrants without a legal right to enter the country.
When migrants are processed into the US, they provide biographical and biometric information, which is entered into the DHS database to check for past convictions or other derogatory information. However, the database is limited by the lack of cooperation from many countries in sharing travel data. This means that DHS may not be aware of a migrant’s criminal history in their home country.
Furthermore, the report highlights the risk of migrants providing false information, as there is no verification process in place. DHS officials were unable to provide data on the number of migrants released without identification, as this information is not collected. Immigration officers interviewed by the OIG acknowledged the risks associated with allowing noncitizens without ID into the country.
The report’s findings raise concerns about the security implications of the Biden-Harris administration’s parole programs, including the CBP One app and the CHNV parole program. These programs have been criticized for prioritizing speed over security, allowing nonvetted noncitizens to enter the country and board airplanes without identification.
