The Biden-Harris MIGRANT CRISIS Money-Trail IS SHOCKING

The following is an edited transcript of a Morning Wire interview with Daily Wire Editor-in-Chief John Bickley and Lora Ries, Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at The Heritage Foundation.

 

Concerns from Springfield, Ohio, about the impact of a substantial influx of Haitian migrants gained national attention this week following former President Trump’s mention of the town during his debate with Vice President Harris. Despite efforts by the legacy media to downplay the residents’ worries, new details have emerged, uncovering troubling issues related to the crisis in this small Rust Belt town. We spoke with an expert to trace the financial flows behind mass migration in the U.S. and examine the Biden-Harris administration’s role in facilitating it.

 

JOHN: Joining us now is Lora Ries, Director of the Border Security and Immigration Center at Heritage. Lora, thanks for being here. Springfield, Ohio, has been in the spotlight this week due to the debate. We had a committee hearing on Tuesday night where many community members spoke out about alarming situations, including fatalities. There was a tragic incident involving an 11-year-old who died after a Haitian migrant drove erratically and hit a school bus. Another report suggested a resident’s mother might have been killed by a Haitian driver. The larger issue is that Springfield, with a population of 60,000, now has around 20,000 Haitians working in the area, resulting in a significant population and cultural shift. What do we know about this situation?

 

 

LORA: Unfortunately, Springfield is just one example of numerous communities, whether small towns or large cities, that are struggling under the weight of mass migration imposed by the Biden-Harris administration. Customs and Border Protection reports over 10.2 million enforcement actions and inadmissible aliens encountered nationwide, with the majority being released into the U.S. according to DHS Secretary Mayorkas. Additionally, there are over two million known “gotaways.” These individuals are settling in our towns, and currently, Springfield is in the spotlight because its citizens are facing challenges related to overcrowding and resource shortages. Increasing the population by a third, regardless of origin, is unsustainable. Schools are overcrowded with non-English-speaking students, leading to a need for translators and additional services that schools and districts aren’t prepared for financially. Healthcare systems are overwhelmed, with long waits in emergency rooms and increased costs. This situation highlights a microcosm of the broader issues caused by the administration’s open border policies, and if it helps more Americans understand the situation, then it’s a positive outcome.

 

JOHN: Specifically, there are reports of around 20,000 Haitians in Springfield. What has the Biden administration’s policy been regarding Haitians?

 

LORA: There are at least three ways this Haitian population could have arrived under this administration. First, Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas has established numerous immigration parole programs, which many argue are unconstitutional, to admit tens of thousands of inadmissible aliens each month. One such program is for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, allowing 30,000 individuals from these countries to enter and resettle in the U.S. each month.

 

Another method is Temporary Protected Status (TPS), intended to protect foreign nationals already in the U.S. due to natural disasters or temporary emergencies in their home countries. However, TPS is often extended indefinitely, effectively becoming a permanent status. Secretary Mayorkas has recently re-designated Haiti for TPS, a process not outlined in the immigration statute, which extends eligibility to more recent illegal entrants.

 

The third possibility is refugee resettlement, but many Haitians, like the individual involved in the tragic school bus incident, were resettled in third countries before arriving in the U.S., making them ineligible for U.S. refugee protection.

 

JOHN: You mentioned that those with protected status were initially illegal immigrants granted status afterward. Is that correct?

 

LORA: Yes, if someone was in the U.S. legally, they wouldn’t need TPS. TPS is meant for those who entered illegally or overstayed visas. Secretary Mayorkas has been mass paroling inadmissible aliens, bypassing the visa process required for legal entry. These parolees are not legally in the U.S., despite being granted temporary status and work authorization. Customs and Border Protection reports these individuals as enforcement actions, indicating they are not lawfully present.

 

JOHN: There have been conflicting reports about Springfield. One report mentions migrants using specific debit or credit cards. Could these be coming from NGOs?

 

LORA: It’s possible. We’ve seen similar cases in places like New York City. The Biden-Harris administration has established extensive infrastructure with NGOs from Panama to the U.S. to facilitate migration, including providing debit cards. The UNHCR has distributed such cards in Central America, funded by billions of dollars from the State Department. While I can’t specify which NGO provided these cards in Springfield, it aligns with the administration’s practices.

 

JOHN: NGOs are often mentioned, but you’re suggesting they work closely with the federal government and receive federal funds. Is that correct?

 

LORA: Absolutely. NGOs, including faith-based organizations like Catholic Charities and Lutheran Immigrant Refugee Services, receive significant federal funding, often surpassing their donations. Many of these organizations are tax-exempt and spend money on lobbying for more immigration and against enforcement. This has created a lucrative and corrupt business model that the administration relies on for its open border policies.

 

JOHN: Has there been any congressional action to investigate these NGOs or their potential misuse?

 

LORA: Some congressional action has occurred, such as letters to organizations and corporations. The most notable attempt was H.R.2, the Secure the Border Act, passed by the House in May 2023, which aimed to defund NGOs facilitating illegal immigration. However, this bill is stalled on Senator Schumer’s desk, and Congress continues to fund these groups through annual appropriations and supplemental bills, including those for Ukraine and Israel. Billions of dollars flow through various departments, including the State Department and DHS, funding programs that can facilitate mass migration.

 

JOHN: Lastly, regarding sanctuary cities, is there a chance that some small towns are effectively functioning as sanctuary cities without explicit designation?

 

LORA: Sanctuary status can vary. Some cities or towns explicitly declare themselves as sanctuary jurisdictions, while others might have local officials directing law enforcement not to cooperate with ICE, creating a de facto sanctuary status. The designation can be formal or simply a result of local policies.

 

JOHN: What do you make of the media’s coverage of Springfield? There seems to be a dismissive or aggressive response to those highlighting the situation.

 

LORA: The media’s dismissal of Springfield’s issues is consistent with their general attitude toward the open border policies over the past three years. Citizens have provided ample evidence of the situation on the ground, including videos and testimonies. The media’s attempt to downplay or dismiss these concerns reflects a broader contempt for American citizens and their legitimate worries about the impact of current immigration policies.

 

JOHN: We’re investigating this further to ensure these concerns receive the attention they deserve. Lora, thank you for your insights. We’d love to have you back.

 

LORA: I’d be happy to.

 

JOHN: That was Lora Ries, Director of the Heritage Border Security and Immigration Center. This concludes our Saturday Extra edition of Morning Wire.