A coalition of 20 Republican states, led by Texas and America First Legal, filed a motion for preliminary injunction in federal court on Tuesday that asks the court to block President Joe Biden’s Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from expanding the “catch and release” of border crossers into the U.S.
The GOP states’ motion comes one month after the states filed a lawsuit in federal court that asked the court to declare Biden’s recent expansion of the parole program unlawful.
Biden’s recent expansion of the parole program would “allow up to 30,000 qualifying nationals per month” from Venezuela, Cuba, Nicaragua, and Haiti to stay in the country and work while they await their immigration hearings.”
However, as the states argue, Congress authorized the parole of illegal aliens into the country only on a “‘case-by-case basis’ for ‘urgent humanitarian reasons’ or ‘significant public benefit.’”
“Accordingly, parole cannot be used as an alternative admissions program, nor can it be granted en masse — doing so violates the requirement that it be granted only on a case-by-case basis,” the states argued.
In Tuesday’s filing, the states argued the court should block the government from operating the expanded parole program while litigation is pending due to the irreparable harm the states would suffer if the program were allowed to continue.
Specifically, Texas cites significant burdens on the states through issuing driver’s licenses for these migrants, increased education costs, health care costs, and other correctional and social costs.
Texas “incurs direct and indirect costs of roughly $200 for each non-citizen who seeks a limited-time license,” according to the filing. The state also estimates “more than $175 million” in costs related to educating these migrants during Fiscal Year 2022.
“Texas spends tens of millions of dollars each year for increased law enforcement as its citizens suffer increased crime, unemployment, environmental harm, and social disorder due to illegal immigration,” the filing added.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton criticized Biden for “rolling out the red carpet for hundreds of thousands of aliens and using taxpayer dollars to bring them into the country,” in a statement on Tuesday.
Along with Texas, state attorneys general from Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming joined the lawsuit.
Breitbart
Tags:States
