News Releases

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) today requested Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas provide answers on how the DHS is processing the thousands of migrants that are illegally crossing the border.

“I write to express my strong concerns with the ongoing and growing humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border and to request information about how the Biden administration and the Department of Homeland Security are processing the hundreds of thousands of migrants illegally crossing into the United States,” wrote Sen. Moran.

“It was reported in July that nearly 50,000 migrants were released without a court date and given nothing more than a list of ICE offices around the country with instructions to report within 60 days,” continued Sen. Moran. “Unsurprisingly, nearly 87 percent of those individuals did not report as directed. Once again, it has been confirmed that individuals have been released into the interior of the country with the same request to report…”

In August, illegal border crossings at the southern border exceeded 200,000, and illegal border crossings in July reached a 21-year high.

The full letter can be found here and below.

September 24, 2021

The Honorable Alejandro Mayorkas

Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, DC 20528

Dear Mr. Secretary:

I write to express my strong concerns with the ongoing and growing humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border and to request information about how the Biden administration and the Department of Homeland Security are processing the hundreds of thousands of migrants illegally crossing into the United States.

During your most recent trip to the southern border you said: "If you come to the United States illegally, you will be returned. Your journey will not succeed and you will be endangering your life and your family’s lives.” You went on to say: "Irregular migration poses a serious security risk to the migrants themselves. Trying to enter the United States illegally is not worth the tragedy, the money or the effort."

However, the actions of the department under your leadership say otherwise. While some illegal migrants are being expelled, many more have and continue to be released into the United States. It was reported in July that nearly 50,000 migrants were released without a court date and given nothing more than a list of ICE offices around the country with instructions to report within 60 days. Unsurprisingly, nearly 87 percent of those individuals did not report as directed. Even those who are given a court date rarely appear and face little or no consequences.

This sends a message that if you make it to the United States you will be allowed to stay without facing repercussions. This encourages families to make the dangerous trek north and entrust their safety to dangerous drug cartels at the risk of being murdered, assaulted or trafficked because the reward is worth the risk. The Haitians at our border and the ones that continue to arrive at the U.S.-Mexico border believed your actions rather than your words. They watched as thousands were allowed stay in the country and gambled that they too would get the same treatment.

Once again, it has been confirmed that individuals have been released into the interior of the country with the same request to report, in direct contradiction to your comments from just days earlier. Even more troubling is your inability or unwillingness to provide the basic information related to these releases. I ask that you provide answers to the following questions by October 1.

Since February 1, 2021:

  1. How many individuals have been released with a Notice to Appear or a Notice to Report? (Categorized by NPA or NPR)
  2. What demographics of individuals are being released with a NPA or NPR?
  3. How many of the individuals who have been released have appeared in court or reported in the required time?
  4. How are you keeping track of the individuals that do not appear or report in the required time?
  5. What recourse have you taken against those who have not appeared or reported in the required time?

I remain committed to addressing the problems facing our broken immigration system in order to provide an effective and efficient legal pathway for those who wish to share in and contribute to the success of our great nation. However, this cannot be accomplished until we are able to secure our borders. Thank you for your attention to this request, and I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Jerry Moran

# # #