U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) recently spoke on the issue of Haitian immigrants flooding into American cities, including several in Alabama that have grabbed headlines in recent weeks.
The most highlighted national case came from Springfield, Ohio, which has seen an influx of roughly 15,000 migrants in recent years. The Springfield issue even came up in Tuesday's presidential debate, gaining a mention from former President Donald Trump and his vice president pick J.D. Vance.
Alabama residents in several cities have expressed concerns over recent surges in Haitian immigration as well.
Residents have complained to local leadership in Albertville, Boaz, Cullman, Russellville and, most recently, Sylacauga. Answers from local leadership have been scant, with many claiming not to know the source or cause of the immigrant surge. In Sylacauga, seemingly contradictory statements by Mayor Jim Heigl have only increased confusion after initially claiming that Alabama's state and federal leaders had confirmed the legal status of the immigrants and then subsequently backtracking.
SEE ALSO: Governor's office received 'zero facts or communication' from feds on Haitian migrants in Sylacauga
On Wednesday, Tuberville stated that his office had been hard at work to pinpoint the source of the increased immigration, calling it an attempt by the Biden administration to increase the number of possible Democrat voters.
According to Tuberville, the influx comes as a result of the Biden administration's Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan (CHNV) Parole Program. On Jan. 5, 2023, the Biden administration announced its intent to provide "safe and orderly pathways to the United States" for up to 30,000 nationals from the applicable countries.
"They've abused this parole law and brought in a lot of people from different countries, not just Haitians," Tuberville said. They're bringing them in and putting them in certain places. A lot of them are working; a lot of them aren't working. But again, this is another abuse of this White House of trying to find any way possible that they can get people into this country that possibly can get them [to] go to the ballot box and vote Democrat. I mean, it's amazing to me what they're trying to do in clear sight, and Haitians are just another part of it. But it's another part of being overrun in this country by people that shouldn't be here."
According to the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, CHNV participants must meet the following criteria:
Have a supporter in the United States.
Undergo and clear robust security vetting.
Meet other eligibility criteria.
Warrant a favorable exercise of discretion.
In Sylacauga, state and local leaders have received no information regarding the immigrants' sponsors and why they were brought to an area with little opportunity for occupation and employment. Some residents told 1819 News that employment options in the region are lacking, further adding to concerns over immigrants taking available jobs. In rural areas like Sylacauga, housing is also a concern. Still, leadership in those areas claimed to have no information on why the immigrants were bussed in, who is sponsoring them, or who is employing them.
"If you just look [at] what's going on in New York, over 50% of the hotels in New York now are being housed by illegal immigrants," Tuberville continued. Now that's New York City where they're 6, 7, 8, $900 a night. You're paying for it as a taxpayer. Same thing's happening in the rural areas. Some of these people are being dropped off. Hopefully, they're picked up to be able to [be] put to work. It's just unfortunate. There's no rhyme or reason. We're probably spending $10 billion a month on illegal immigrants in this country, maybe even more than that. And you remember, when President Trump was president, he wanted $5 billion to build a wall, and they said, 'That's way too much money.' Folks, we are spending your taxpayer money every day. It is a disaster. And it's a disaster waiting to happen with national security."
"I feel sorry for a lot of these people. They're being brought in here, and they're separated from their kids. Human trafficking is out of control. Drugs are out of control. ICE and Border Patrol have thrown up their hands. And what does Homeland Security Secretary [Alejandro] Mayorkas say? 'The border is closed,' I mean, they think we're complete idiots."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
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