WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Peter Meijer (R-MI), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Oversight, Management, and Accountability, today delivered his first opening remarks in a subcommittee hearing titled, “Stakeholder Perspectives on Addressing Migration Push Factors.” Ranking Member Meijer invited Calhoun County Sheriff Steven Hinkley to testify as the minority witness.
“This [border] crisis exemplifies the problems with our current system,” saidRanking Member Meijer. “While the need for comprehensive immigration reform, including more effective border security, is clear, it is important that we understand why so many individuals and families continue to make the perilous journey to our southern border. Although I believe that the current crisis has been unnecessarily caused by the misguided policies of the current Administration, I understand that there are complex, interconnected sets of factors that play into the decision to leave one’s own country.
“Before coming to Congress, I saw communities struggle with these kinds of crises around the world. I led disaster response operations to assist communities that had been impacted by natural disasters and spent two years in Afghanistan as a conflict analyst with the humanitarian aid community, working to protect aid workers who were delivering vital assistance to those in need.
“I do not fault those who seek a better life for their families, but the Biden Administration’s reckless rhetoric and policies have encouraged hundreds of thousands of migrants to put themselves, and in many cases their families and young children, in danger. Many actions taken by the Administration in the first few days in office resulted in the crisis we’re seeing today.”
In his opening statement, Sherrif Steve Hinkley highlighted the 100 unaccompanied migrant children housed at Starr Commonwealth in Albion, Michigan. Video footage of his remarks is available here.
The full text of Ranking Member Meijer’s remarks as prepared is below:
“Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this hearing today – the first of this Congress for the Oversight, Management, and Accountability Subcommittee. I am very excited to serve as the Ranking Member of this subcommittee and am sure that this is the first of many productive hearings we will hold.
“The hearing today is especially relevant given the current crisis at our southern border.
“Just a few weeks ago, I visited the border with several of our Homeland Security colleagues, including Congresswoman Harshbarger who is with us today. I know that Congressman Bishop has also been to the border with the Judiciary Committee, so we have all seen the issues and situation up close.
“Mr. Chairman, I know that you have also been to the border within the last few months.
“This crisis exemplifies the problems with our current system. While the need for comprehensive immigration reform, including more effective border security, is clear, it is important that we understand why so many individuals and families continue to make the perilous journey to our southern border. Although I believe that the current crisis has been unnecessarily caused by the misguided policies of the current Administration, I understand that there are complex, interconnected sets of factors that play into the decision to leave one’s own country.
“For the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, where most migrants are coming from today, these factors include systematic and entrenched corruption, poverty and food insecurity, violence, and a lack of economic opportunity that often precludes them from making a better life for themselves and their families. If we recognize the humanity of each person making this journey, often coming from a place of desperation, the need to address this current crisis and find long-term solutions becomes even clearer.
“Before coming to Congress, I saw communities struggle with these kinds of crises around the world. I led disaster response operations to assist communities that had been impacted by natural disasters and spent two years in Afghanistan as a conflict analyst with the humanitarian aid community, working to protect aid workers who were delivering vital assistance to those in need.
“I do not fault those who seek a better life for their families, but the Biden Administration’s reckless rhetoric and policies have encouraged hundreds of thousands of migrants to put themselves, and in many cases their families and young children, in danger. Many actions taken by the Administration in the first few days in office resulted in the crisis we’re seeing today.
“Specifically, President Biden:
- Halted border wall system construction funded by Congress;
- Implemented “catch and release” policies allowing migrants to flow into American communities amidst a pandemic;
- Eliminated the “Remain in Mexico Policy” to deter non-meritorious asylum claims;
- And cancelled Asylum Cooperative Agreements with our Central American partners that would have allowed migrants to seek asylum closer to home.
- CBP is on track to encounter more than two million migrants crossing the U.S.–Mexico border by the end of this fiscal year – more than four times the number encountered in FY20.
- Between February 19 – April 22, TSA assisted approximately 7,200 migrants at 10 border airports in document verification, allowing them to bypass standard government-issued photo ID requirements and board domestic flights, without confirmation of a negative COVID-19 test being required.
- 10% of individuals leaving CBP custody in the Rio Grande Valley Sector are testing positive for COVID-19, a major public health concern.
- And according to Border Patrol agents, migrants are paying smugglers on average $4,000 to reach the southern border.
- Hundreds of millions to pay non-profits, including $86 million for hotel rooms to temporarily house migrants, and millions more to operate CBP processing facilities every month.
- Members were told that $50,000 per month is coming out of CBP’s operational funds for migrant childcare items.
- $60 million per week to provide services to unaccompanied minors.
“Without real metrics and closer collaboration between all the different U.S. government agencies engaged in the region, there is little reason to believe that more money will lead to more progress on outcomes than it has in the past. This kind of long-term engagement will take sustained attention and focused effort, something Washington often struggles to produce.
“One of my main frustrations with the issue of immigration since coming to Congress is that while the rhetoric and the conversation is happening at the national level, the impacts are felt most at the local level. For example, over 100 unaccompanied migrant children were recently relocated to a non-profit facility in my district for care. Michigan is always willing to help those who are vulnerable and in need, but make no mistake: unaccompanied migrant children have been flown thousands of miles because our federal government had no plan from the beginning and has failed to address this crisis. My witness today will be able to offer that needed local perspective and talk more about some of the local impacts this crisis, and immigration policies in general, have on states and localities.
“Mr. Chairman, thank you again for holding this hearing. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses.”
Original source can be found here.
