By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
In a staggering development, newly released data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveals that nearly 530,000 migrants have flown into the United States and been paroled into the country under the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration’s controversial CHNV mass parole program.
In addition to this massive influx, about 813,000 more migrants have scheduled appointments through the CBP One app at ports of entry, where they will also be released into the U.S.
These so-called “lawful pathways” are new processes created by the Harris administration to provide migrants a way into the country without being counted as illegal border crossings. While these individuals are not crossing the border unlawfully, the programs have drawn sharp criticism from immigration enforcement officials and law-and-order advocates for their lack of oversight and potential long-term consequences.
Most migrants participating in these programs are granted two-year humanitarian parole, allowing them to live and work in the U.S. during that period. However, as multiple Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sources have confirmed, there are serious concerns about the government’s ability to enforce immigration laws once these parole grants expire. ICE officers are already stretched thin, with each agent managing an average of 7,000 cases, and the agency’s non-detained docket is projected to hit 8 million by the end of this year.
Immigration Strains in Colorado’s Sanctuary Cities
In states like Colorado, the impact of Harris’ mass parole programs has been especially significant. Colorado’s sanctuary policies, led by Gov. Jared Polis and Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, have made the state a magnet for illegal immigration. Sanctuary policies, which limit cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, have long been a contentious issue in Colorado. With the influx of migrants under the Harris administration’s programs, critics say these policies are making it easier for illegal immigrants to evade deportation, even those who commit crimes.
Gov. Polis has been a staunch supporter of making Colorado a “welcoming” state, enacting policies that protect illegal immigrants from deportation and expanding access to social services. While Polis has championed these efforts as humane and progressive, critics argue that they encourage lawlessness and place an undue burden on local communities, especially when it comes to public safety.
Denver, under Mayor Mike Johnston, has faced growing scrutiny over how it handles the immigrant population amid rising concerns about illegal immigrant crime and gang activity. Denver’s status as a sanctuary city means that local law enforcement is prohibited from holding illegal immigrants for ICE unless there is a federal warrant. This policy has created an environment where criminals, including gang members, can evade detection and deportation.
In Colorado, where violent crime has risen in recent years, gang activity involving illegal immigrants is becoming an increasingly serious concern. Local law enforcement officials have expressed frustration with the lack of cooperation between federal and local authorities, noting that sanctuary policies make it difficult to remove dangerous individuals from the community. Although not all migrants are involved in criminal activity, police officials in cities like Denver have reported a troubling uptick in gang-related crimes linked to illegal immigrants who have overstayed their legal status.
Law Enforcement Overwhelmed
ICE officials are sounding the alarm that the Harris administration’s mass parole programs are adding an enormous strain to an already overburdened system. While ICE is responsible for tracking and removing those with final orders of removal, aggravated felons, and individuals who have entered the U.S. illegally, it does not have the manpower to track those entering under the new parole programs. According to a recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General report, no government agency is currently tasked with monitoring when migrants’ parole statuses expire, which raises the risk of widespread unlawful residence.
This concern is particularly acute in sanctuary cities like Denver, where local authorities often have limited ability to enforce federal immigration laws. As more migrants are released into the U.S. through these programs, many fear that Colorado’s cities will face rising crime rates and public safety concerns, further exacerbated by the state’s sanctuary status.
Economic and Social Consequences
Harris’ mass parole programs are not only straining law enforcement but also placing increased pressure on public services. Colorado’s social welfare system is already struggling to keep up with the needs of its current population, and the arrival of hundreds of thousands of new migrants is expected to make matters worse. Local officials have expressed concern about how the state will provide adequate housing, healthcare and education for the growing migrant population.
Denver, in particular, has faced challenges housing its homeless population, a problem that is only being compounded by the arrival of migrants. Mayor Johnston’s administration has attempted to tackle this issue by building more shelters and affordable housing, but these efforts have been hampered by the sheer volume of new arrivals. The strain on resources has become a flashpoint in local politics, with many residents questioning whether the city can continue to serve as a sanctuary without further compromising the quality of life for all citizens.
The Road Ahead
As the year draws to a close, the question remains: will Harris address the glaring gaps in the Administration’s immigration policies, or will these programs continue to overwhelm our already strained immigration and law enforcement systems? Critics argue that without serious reform, the more than 1 million migrants the Administration has allowed into the U.S. through these programs are likely here to stay, even if they fall out of status and become unlawfully present.
In Colorado, the combination of sanctuary policies, a rise in crime, and overwhelmed public services has placed the state at the forefront of the national immigration debate. While Gov. Polis and Mayor Johnston continue to advocate for “welcoming” policies, the growing concerns from law enforcement and residents signal that a reckoning may be coming.
The latest CBP data paints a grim picture of the consequences of unchecked immigration. Without immediate action, states like Colorado, which have embraced sanctuary policies, may find themselves bearing the brunt of the Harris administration’s immigration experiment.
Read the latest CBP data here: CBP Releases August 2024 Monthly Update