The passage of HB2844 seeks to increase government transparency by regularly updating this information on a weekly basis. Proponents argue that making this data accessible will provide the American public with a clearer picture of immigration trends and issues related to border security. Furthermore, it is posited that this transparency could facilitate public discourse on immigration policies and contribute to more informed decision-making at both local and national levels.
Summary
House Bill 2844, known as the Transparency of Migration Act, aims to enhance public awareness regarding individuals processed through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and facilities operated by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The bill mandates that relevant information about individuals unlawfully present in the United States be made publicly available on the respective departmental websites. This includes details such as the daily number of individuals processed, their countries of origin, ages, genders, and the states to which they are released or sent.
Contention
However, the bill has also generated discussions surrounding privacy concerns and the potential for misuse of the data provided. Critics argue that publicizing such information may lead to stigmatization of certain groups and individuals, raising ethical concerns about the implications of categorizing people based on their immigration status. Additionally, debates have arisen around whether this act would effectively serve the intended purpose of improving transparency or if it might instead overshadow more substantive reforms in immigration policy.
Secure the Border Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility. For example, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for certain border security operations; prohibits DHS from processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) arriving between ports of entry; limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals who arrive in the United States at a port of entry; authorizes the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal; expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death; authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border; prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors; authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application; imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.