Washington D.C. – On September 19, 2024, the U.S. Senate passed the Southern Border Transparency Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas). The legislation mandates the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide detailed, timely reports on how it manages migrants encountered at the southern border, including the number of migrants being released into the United States.
Senator Britt emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “The Southern Border Transparency Act will ensure the American people know just how many individuals the Biden-Harris Administration is unlawfully letting into America’s interior.” She further pledged to pursue additional legislative measures, such as the WALL Act and the Laken Riley Act, aimed at securing the southern border.
Senator Cornyn echoed these sentiments, calling for transparency from the Biden administration regarding the levels of illegal immigration. “The American people deserve to know exactly how many migrants are being released into the country and on what terms,” Cornyn said.
The bill seeks to address concerns over the Biden administration’s handling of migrants through parole programs and other mechanisms that allow their release into the U.S. interior. These programs include pathways for migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as the Central American Minors program.
The Southern Border Transparency Act requires DHS to report on several key data points, including the number of migrants paroled or apprehended at each Port of Entry (POE) and Border Patrol sector, the number of parole petitions received and granted, and whether released migrants receive work authorization or depart the U.S. upon parole expiration.
While the bill passed the Senate, efforts to advance other border-related legislation, including the WALL Act and the Stopping Border Surges Act, have faced opposition, with Democrats blocking their passage in the Senate.
