In a recent immigration subcommittee hearing, Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) criticized the Biden administration for its stringent approach towards illegal immigrants, despite the ongoing crisis at the U.
S. Southern Border and the record-breaking numbers of illegal border crossings.
This, she claimed, is a result of the administration's relaxed immigration policies.
"There is so much fear-mongering going on that it is difficult to know exactly where to start. But let me say this, first, the Biden administration is enforcing immigration laws. In fact, the administration has been so heavy-handed in recent months that I have serious concerns about how they are conducting border enforcement," Jayapal stated during the hearing.
The congresswoman, who has faced accusations of antisemitism, then shifted her focus to the Republicans. She alleged that the hearing was a diversionary tactic, designed to distract the American public from the lack of accomplishments by her Republican colleagues. "This hearing is supposed to distract the American people from the fact that my Republican colleagues have absolutely no accomplishments to run on. Once again, they are trying to scapegoat immigrants by making claims about undocumented immigrants use of social services," Jayapal said, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Jayapal, a member of the progressive Squad, cited studies that she claimed prove the US economy is driven by both documented and undocumented immigrants. She dismissed the notion that immigrants harm the economy as an "absurd, factually inaccurate talking point from extreme MAGA Republicans."
As a ranking member of the committee, Jayapal criticized House Republicans for their persistent push for a resolution to enhance border security through HR 2, a bill she described as "cruel, extreme" and ineffective in "actually solving the problem." The proposed legislation, which has already passed the House but is unlikely to pass the Democratic-controlled Senate, includes measures to resume construction on the border wall, limit asylum eligibility, and impose penalties for overstaying visas.
Jayapal, who also serves as the chair of the Progressive Caucus, faced ridicule for her comments. Meanwhile, the crisis at the border continues to escalate, with over 276,000 illegal immigrants crossing the US-Mexico border last month alone. Since Biden took office, more than 7 million illegal immigrants have entered the country, marking the highest number recorded under any administration.
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