Gov. Joe Lombardo joined 24 other Republican governors in signing a letter condemning the Biden-Harris administration’s asylum policies, which have resulted in over half a million immigrants entering the U.S. The letter, sent Tuesday, targets policies that have allowed legal entry for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.

Citing data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the governors point to the arrival of nearly 530,000 immigrants from these nations by the end of August. The breakdown includes:

•210,000 Haitians

•117,000 Venezuelans

•110,000 Cubans

•93,000 Nicaraguans

Additionally, 12,000 more immigrants have been vetted and approved for travel. These individuals, granted humanitarian parole, have been temporarily authorized to enter or remain in the U.S.

The letter expresses concerns over what the governors call a “poorly administered” asylum program, citing a lack of coordination that has created “confusion and alarm” among local officials. The governors are demanding a full accounting from the administration and DHS regarding the location and legal status of these parolees, as well as details on their sponsors and the security vetting process.

“As the chief executives of our states responsible for the safety of our citizens, we require transparency from the Biden-Harris administration,” the letter states. “We ask for the names and locations of the sponsors who have guardianship over the parolees, and details on how DHS monitors migrants and their sponsors.”

The letter comes amidst controversial rhetoric from prominent Republican figures. In early September, JD Vance, former running mate of Donald Trump, falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants were eating residents’ pets in Ohio, a narrative that was debunked. The governors’ letter, however, focuses on the broader impacts of the asylum policies, expressing concerns over the safety of migrants and local communities.

They argue that migrants, due to a lack of preparation and communication, are being “dumped” into towns and cities without proper notice, leading to fear, mistrust, and isolation. This environment, the governors claim, leaves migrants vulnerable to exploitation and abuse.

The Republican governors are calling for greater transparency and cooperation between federal agencies and state officials to ensure the safety and well-being of both the migrants and the communities they are entering.

Source: 8 News Now