U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, has criticized a new set of demands from Senate Democrats regarding immigration enforcement. According to Barrasso, the list now includes 23 items that he says are aimed at protecting individuals in the country illegally who have committed crimes.
“Democrats want to abolish ICE. They want to abolish borders. And they want to turn America into a sanctuary country. If Democrats had their way, removing illegal immigrants from our communities would become nearly impossible,” Barrasso said during remarks in Washington, D.C.
Barrasso argued that the Democratic proposals would change rules on immigration enforcement warrants and transform the United States into what he described as a “sanctuary country.” He expressed concern that these changes would make it harder for federal authorities to remove people with final orders of removal.
He stated: “Last night, the Minority Leader came out with a new list of demands designed to protect illegal immigrant criminals. We just heard him speak about it on the Floor just a few minutes ago. The Minority Leader has said that he has 10 demands. Last week he had 3, now he says he has 10. I read the fine print. It looks to me that this ballooning list is now up to 23 demands.”
Barrasso further contended: “The Minority Leader just said, ‘Republicans are calling the demands political.’ Well, I see them as radical and extreme. This is about funding the Department of Homeland Security for our nation – keeping our nation safe. The Minority Leader said, ‘Republicans can’t explain why their demands are extreme.’ Well, I’ll tell you why they’re extreme. Because they prioritize the safety of illegal immigrant criminals over the safety and security of the American people. I would think a majority of Americans would see that as extreme and dangerous.”
He also noted his concerns about possible impacts on agencies funded by the Department of Homeland Security: “Now, the Minority Leader might think that he has leverage to defund law enforcement. He is wrong. Border Patrol is funded. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is funded. To me, what is reckless here from this far-left wish list is it’s closing the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Coast Guard working without pay. TSA agents working without pay. Making our nation more vulnerable to cyberattacks.”
Focusing on proposed changes regarding warrant procedures for immigration enforcement, Barrasso said: “Let me talk about one of Democrats’ radical demands… What Democrats won’t tell you is that the only people who benefit are criminals… If Immigration and Customs Enforcement is forced to use judicial warrants for each and every immigration arrest, America will become a sanctuary country.”
Barrasso asserted: “Today, more than one million illegal immigrants have a final court order of removal… After a fair and thorough process, a judge affirmed you may not stay in America any longer… Federal immigration officials have used administrative warrants for decades… Federal circuit courts have reaffirmed their use in the decades since.”
He concluded by referencing recent incidents involving undocumented immigrants and reiterated Republican opposition to changes proposed by Democrats: “Tragedies like this remind us that we all pay the price when liberal politicians favor illegal immigrant criminals over the safety of American citizens… When it comes to public safety, Democrats continue to fail the American people… Republicans will continue to stand on the side of safer and more secure communities.”
