Montgomery, AL – On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey, along with 24 other governors, sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, raising concerns about the administration’s Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) asylum program. The letter specifically questions the lack of communication from the federal government regarding the arrival, location, and status of those granted asylum under the program.
The governors highlighted the challenges posed by the sudden influx of asylum seekers into their states, stating, “The impact of this ‘parole’ program has been the sudden influx of foreign nationals throughout our states and communities. The unexplainable lack of any communication from your Administration over arrival times, duration of residency, legal status, and location of these ‘parolees’ has created considerable confusion and alarm among local officials and the general public.”
Local law enforcement and municipal leaders, according to the letter, have often relied on news reports and social media posts to understand the size and location of migrant populations in their areas, complicating their ability to plan for the impact on public services such as schools and healthcare.
The governors are requesting a full report from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) detailing the legal status, location, and security vetting of those granted asylum. They are also asking for information on the sponsors who are responsible for the migrants, as well as the system DHS has in place to monitor both the migrants and their sponsors.
Joining Governor Ivey in signing the letter were governors from states across the country, including Governor Ron DeSantis (FL), Governor Sarah Sanders (AR), and Governor Brian Kemp (GA), among others.
The letter represents a collective concern from state leaders about the potential strain on local resources and a desire for more transparency and coordination from the federal government regarding the asylum program.
