Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025

Floor Speech

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Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Amendment No. 20 seeks to address an often underdiscussed part of the ongoing border crisis: the surge in illegal immigration from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela. Recent years have witnessed an unprecedented increase in the number of migrants from these four countries attempting to cross our southwest border.

In fiscal year 2020, Border Patrol agents apprehended about 17,500 illegal entrants from these nations. That was the final year before President Biden. This number surged more than tenfold in fiscal year 2021 to 181,000 and skyrocketed to over 600,000 in fiscal year 2022. From 17,000 to 600,000, these numbers are common in the increase during this administration. Understanding the factors behind this dramatic rise is crucial to understanding the challenges it poses.

The Biden administration's approach to border security has played a significant role in this surge. Look no further than the introduction of the CHNV parole process targeting nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela.

Initially created as a limited parole program for Venezuelans, this program expanded significantly in January of 2023. Now it offers parole for up to 30,000 nationals per month from these countries. Remember, we used to have 17,000 in a whole year. Now it is 30,000 per month. This policy has led to a system of all carrots and no sticks, incentivizing illegal entries without adequate deterrents.

Through the end of May, over 462,000 CHNV parolees have entered the U.S. This figure surpasses the current population of New Orleans just from these four countries and far exceeds the annual immigration limits set by Congress.

Despite these parolees lacking visas or legal rights to enter, they have been granted work authorizations, potentially impacting the wages and working conditions of American workers.

The administration claims that each CHNV applicant undergoes robust security vetting and requires a U.S.-based supporter. However, this system is ripe for exploitation, human trafficking, and fraud. Moreover, the security vetting process is insufficient, particularly given the limited cooperation from hostile governments and the lack of a stable government in Haiti.

When I have been on the border, the only country they get criminal background checks from is Canada.

My amendment is straightforward. None of the funds appropriated by this act can be used to run the CHNV parole program.

Congress must act to correct these misguided policies, prioritize the enforcement of existing immigration laws, and ensure that our border security measures are both effective and humane.

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Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner).
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Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Chair, the CHNV program is another example of this administration clearly violating the limits on parole established by Congress. None of the migrants being paroled into this Nation under this program have a legal basis to enter.

Mr. Chair, I urge all Members to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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