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Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after leading an effort supported by 37 of his House colleagues calling on President Obama to immediately terminate the Central American Minors (CAM) Refugee/Parole Program:
“Congress has made no new authorizations or appropriations to send planes to Central America for the purposes of flying illegal immigrants back to the U.S. Given our current national security threats and border crises, I am appalled that the administration would create and implement a new amnesty program that will incentivize further illegal immigration.
“President Obama previously used executive fiat to give amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants in the U.S. Now he is planning on sending planes to go and pick up their family members in Central American countries. This program is, at best, contrary to the rule of law and, at worst, unconstitutional. My colleagues and I have sent a very clear demand, calling on President Obama to immediately terminate the flawed CAM program. This program is an egregious waste of taxpayer money and sets a dangerous precedent of executive lawlessness that must be stopped.”
Background
The full text of Congressman Gosar’s letter calling on President Obama to end this amnesty program can be found HERE.
The Obama Administration has been taking applications for an amnesty program since December 1, 2014 that will fly illegal immigrants from Central American Countries to the U.S. for the purposes of providing an “orderly alternative to the dangerous journey that some... are currently taking to the United States.”
The Central American Minors (CAM) Refugee/Parole Program requires parolees to pay for their flights and medical care but will provide cash, loans, as well as help with travel and medical assistance to refugees participating in the program at taxpayer expense. Media reports further indicate that parolees participating in the program could include felons and immigrants that were previously deported.
Shockingly, DHS’ website states, "There is no fee to participate in this refugee/parole program and it is prohibited for anyone to charge a fee for completion of the form." Worse yet, an agency official indicated in a hearing last week that some CAM program participants are eligible because they have a family member living in the U.S. who was one of the beneficiaries of President Obama’s previous deferred action amnesty executive orders.
The 37 members of the House who joined Rep. Gosar in the is effort include Representatives Brian Babin, Lou Barletta, Diane Black, Marsha Blackburn, Rod Blum, Charles Boustany, Jim Bridenstine, Mo Brooks, Doug Collins, Mike Conaway, Scott DesJarlais, Jeff Duncan, John Duncan, Bill Flores, Trent Franks, Louie Gohmert, Paul Gosar, Tim Huelskamp, Lynn Jenkins, Sam Johnson, Walter Jones, Steve King, Doug LaMalfa, Doug Lamborn, Cynthia Lummis, Kenny Marchant, John Mica, Pete Olson, Steve Palazzo, Scott Perry, Mike Rogers, Matt Salmon, David Schweikert, Pete Sessions, Lamar Smith, Randy Weber and Ted Yoho.
This effort also received the support of NumbersUSA, Eagle Forum and the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR).
Rep. Gosar began gathering support for this effort and released a draft letter April 9, 2015.
Last Thursday, April 23, 2015 the Senate Committee on the Judiciary Subcommittee on Immigration and National Interest also examined this issue in a hearing entitled Eroding the Law and Diverting Taxpayer Resources: An Examination of the Administration's Central American Minors Refugee/Parole Program. CLICK HERE to read testimony and learn more about that hearing.
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