A new bill introduced by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., aims to block federal grant money to nonprofit groups that assist illegal immigrants. The bill, known as the BARRIER Act (Blocking Assistance and Resources to Restrict Illegal Entry and Residency), is co-sponsored by several Republican representatives.
According to Gaetz, these NGOs and nonprofits are seen as supporting the Biden-Harris administration's mass-migration policies by aiding illegal immigrants in crossing the border and staying in the U.S. unlawfully. The legislation targets organizations that provide assistance to individuals who have broken federal laws.
If enacted, prominent immigration groups such as the National Immigration Law Center, American Immigration Council, and CASA could lose their federal grants. Gaetz emphasized that the federal government should not be funding activities that undermine the country's laws and security.
The bill comes amidst heightened concerns over illegal immigration and the crisis at the southern border. Recent data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed that tens of thousands of illegal immigrants with serious criminal convictions, including sex offenses and homicide, could be released into the U.S. interior.
The Biden administration has faced criticism for its handling of immigration, with a significant decrease in deportations compared to previous years. While removals have increased in fiscal 2023, they remain lower than the figures seen during the Trump administration.
Notably, the number of illegal immigrants on the nondetained docket has surged in recent years, reaching over 7 million in fiscal 2023. The proposed BARRIER Act seeks to address these challenges by cutting off federal funding to organizations that support illegal immigration.
