WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA), the lead Republican on the House Homeland Security Border Subcommittee, delivered a letter today to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demanding answers on reports that illegal immigrants are being dropped in communities across Louisiana. Congressman Higgins also called for an immediate suspension of the resettlement operation.
“I write today to request the immediate termination of ICE’s ‘temporary support plan’ to resettle migrants across the country, which has led to migrants being dropped at bus stops and airports in Louisiana,”wrote Congressman Higgins. “This operation lacks transparency, is a complete evasion of responsibility, and compromises the safety of both migrants and Louisianans.”
“If this Administration truly cares about the well-being of migrants, the first step is to stop incentivizing lawlessness and dropping migrants off at bus stops and airports with no money or resources to sustain themselves. This is a recipe for disaster,”Congressman Higgins continued.
In the letter, Congressman Higgins requested answers to the following questions:
- What is the process for notifying state and local governments about the arrival of busloads of migrants being dropped into their communities?
- What specific steps is ICE taking to ensure there are no migrants with criminal records being released into our communities, making the area less safe?
- How is ICE tracing migrants to make sure they return for court proceedings?
- What instructions and details are migrants given for their arrival in US cities, where to go, what to do, etc.?
- Is DHS depending on state and local governments to provide for the needs of bussed migrants?
- Are migrants being tested for COVID-19 or COVID-19 antibodies prior to being transported across the United States?
The full letter is available below or as a pdf here.
