A recent data release from House Republicans reveals that the Biden administration is allowing a significant number of criminal migrants to remain in U.S. communities according to Breitbart.
This revelation shows that over 650,000 noncitizens, many of whom have been convicted of or charged with serious crimes, are currently free rather than being detained or deported.
The data outlines that 662,566 noncitizens with criminal histories are currently on ICE’s national docket, with 435,719 convicted criminals and 226,847 facing pending charges.
Of particular concern are the 13,099 migrants who have been convicted of murder but are not being held in detention, despite the severity of their crimes.
According to the data, these migrants include individuals charged with a wide range of crimes. In addition to the 13,099 convicted murderers, there are 222,141 undetained migrants facing criminal charges. These charges include 1,845 cases of homicide.
Further complicating the situation is the fact that ICE is reportedly not making full use of its available resources. The agency has 41,000 detention beds available, yet many dangerous individuals remain in communities. The data also indicates that there are an additional 15,000 migrant criminals in jail, including 277 convicted of murder, and 51 facing murder charges.
The released data also shows troubling numbers related to sexual offenses. Around 17,000 migrants have either been convicted of or charged with sexual offenses.
The term "noncitizens" used in the report refers to a wide range of individuals, including illegal migrants, those who have overstayed their visas, and even some green card holders. Despite their criminal convictions, many of these individuals have not been deported due to a lack of resources.
The release of these statistics has ignited a political firestorm, especially as Vice President Kamala Harris is set to give a major speech on border policy in the near future. Harris had previously declined to take shared control of migration policy alongside Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in March 2021.
Mayorkas, who is tasked with managing the detention and deportation of migrants, has implemented policies that reduce the number of criminal migrants detained. These policies are part of the administration’s broader strategy known as "Bidenomics," which seeks to create more jobs, particularly lower-wage positions that can be filled by migrant workers.
As a result, nearly 10 million legal, illegal, and quasi-legal migrants have entered the country since President Biden took office, according to the latest reports. These policies have been met with sharp criticism from Republicans, who argue that the administration is putting Americans at risk by allowing dangerous individuals to remain free.
In a letter obtained by Fox News, Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX) cited the report’s findings, stating that "there are 425,431 convicted criminals" who are not currently in detention. He and other Republicans are calling for stricter enforcement and the utilization of available detention beds to mitigate the risks posed by these individuals.
Critics of the Biden administration’s handling of migration policy argue that the release of so many convicted and charged migrants is evidence of a failure to protect the American public. Donald Trump, former president and current candidate, voiced his concern, stating, "Nobody who has allowed this to happen to our country is fit to be president of the United States."
One of the most contentious points in the data is the apparent underutilization of ICE detention facilities. Despite having 41,000 beds available, many migrants, including those with violent criminal records, are not being held. This has led to widespread frustration among those who believe more aggressive action should be taken to detain and deport these individuals.
The Biden administration has defended its approach to migration policy, arguing that its focus is on building a stronger economy and creating jobs. However, critics counter that allowing dangerous criminals to roam free presents a significant threat to the safety of American citizens.
The data released by House Republicans reveals a deeply concerning situation regarding the number of criminal migrants and suspects currently at large in the U.S. communities. With 662,566 noncitizens on ICE’s national docket, including 435,719 convicted criminals and 226,847 facing criminal charges, the administration’s policies have come under fire for being too lenient.
The lack of detention for individuals convicted of serious crimes, such as murder and sexual offenses, along with the underutilization of ICE’s detention capacity, has sparked significant political debate.
With Vice President Harris expected to address these issues in an upcoming speech, the Biden administration faces mounting pressure to take more decisive action on migration and border enforcement.
