Lankford Puts Forward Real Solutions to Start Solving Biden’s Border Crisis

Source: United States Senator for Oklahoma James Lankford

02.01.23

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today released two bills that are critical to fixing the crisis at the border as illegal border crossers continue to take the dangerous journey across the US-Mexico southern border. The Public Health and Border Security Act would require all COVID-related national states of emergency to be lifted before Title 42 is officially terminated, and require the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to put in place a workable plan to manage the chaos at the border. Lankford is also introducing the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Reform and Integrity Act, which would restore “temporariness” to Temporary Protected Status by requiring Congress to approve a second or subsequent extension of a country’s designation for TPS.

“Everyone wants to talk about the border crisis but no one wants to publish a plan to fix it because they know it will face intense scrutiny. I’m introducing two bills to start turning the tide at the border,” said Lankford. “These bills will force the Biden Administration to stop letting the Temporary Protected Status be an indefinite form of amnesty and to pressure Biden and his team to coordinate with state and local authorities to avoid a post-Title 42 catastrophe. The American people don’t need to suffer under President Biden’s border policies because Congress is afraid to act. My bills are a much-needed push toward a secure border.”

Biden announced on Monday that all COVID-19 related health emergencies will end on May 11. Lankford has criticized Biden’s handling of Title 42 Authority as it has remained the last line of defense for US Customs and Border Patrol to quickly expel migrants crossing the border illegally. Lankford has called for the Administration to provide a plan before lifting Title 42 authority at the border.

Background:

The Public Health and Border Security Act would:

Require all COVID-19 related national states of emergency be lifted before Title 42 is officially terminated; and
Require that a workable plan is provided by DHS before Title 42 is lifted to secure the border.

Lankford is joined by Senators Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), John Thune (R-OK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Jon Tester (D- MT), Mark Kelly (D-AZ) in introducing the Public Health and Border Security Act.

The Temporary Protected Status Reform and Integrity Act would:

Require DHS to provide all of the information it has on TPS to Congress prior to a designation taking effect;
Limit DHS to one designation and one extension of TPS and any additional extensions require Congress’s approval;
Prohibit DHS from “re-designating” a country for TPS, which prohibits TPS from being used as a way to give illegal immigrants work authorization and shield them from deportation; and
Ensure that criminals do not qualify for TPS.

The Temporary Protected Status Reform and Integrity Act would not affect current recipients of temporary protected status it would only affect future recipients.

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