FAIR Responds to Open-Borders Members of Congress

FAIR Take | September 2023

Last Friday, several open-borders members of Congress from the New York City area, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Jerold Nadler (D-NY), held a press conference in Manhattan to discuss the migrant crisis that is facing the city.  Unfortunately, the members did not urge the Biden Administration to get control of our borders and enforce our immigration laws.  Instead, they called on the federal government to: (1) give asylum-seekers immediate work authorization, and (2) send more taxpayer dollars to support the illegal migrants who have flooded NYC.

Much to their surprise, as they began the press conference, the members of Congress were nearly shouted down by angry protesters fed up with the government’s refusal to act. And it’s no wonder, as their policy proscriptions do not even attempt to address the underlying crisis at the border, and would indeed make the situation worse.

FAIR opposes their proposals for several reasons.  First, Congress adopted a 180-day waiting period for asylum-seekers to get work permits expressly to deter fraudulent asylum claims. (See INA Section 208) This law must be enforced, not nullified by the Executive Branch or local lawmakers.

Second, if the government were to immediately grant work permits to asylum-seekers, it would ignite a rush on our southern border of historic proportions; everyone would claim asylum to get a work permit.

Third, funneling more taxpayer dollars to cities to support illegal aliens unfairly forces Americans nationwide to pay for open-borders and sanctuary policies. It also encourages more illegal immigration.

Finally, FAIR believes that good immigration policy requires that Congress set limits and the Executive Branch enforce them.  Congress should be guided by what’s best for the national interest, not illegal aliens. Once those limits are set, the rule of law must prevail.

To watch the video of the press conference, click here.