Congress Urged to Work Bipartisanship for Immigration Crisis Resolution

The U.S. Congress needs to collaborate in a bipartisan manner to address the immigration crisis, as emphasized by Blas Nunez-Neto, the Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for Border and Immigration Policy. He stressed that the existing border barriers and walls alone do not constitute a solution.

During a press conference at the Foreign Press Centers on the U.S. Government’s response to Migration in the Americas, Nunez expressed the view that the U.S. Congress must take proactive steps for a long-term solution. He pointed out, “In this country, we face a unique challenge. Our immigration system and the statutes governing it have not been updated for decades, originating at a time when the migration challenge on our border significantly differed from today.”

Responding to a question, Mr. Nunez elaborated, “We’ve been referring to record numbers of individuals through expedited removal at the border in recent months. However, we are clear-eyed that a lasting solution requires the U.S. Congress to update these statutes. We continue to call on Congress to come together on a bipartisan basis.” He added, “Neither party can address this on its own. We all need to unite to find a solution.”

Mr. Nunez was joined by Eric Jacobstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Central America, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs. When asked about global conflicts and humanitarian crises, Mr. Eric highlighted that over 110 million people are forcibly displaced globally, with 20 million in the Western Hemisphere alone. He emphasized, “No single country can solve this challenge alone. It is essential for us to collaborate with our partners in the hemisphere, expanding legal pathways while making it clear that the United States border is not open, and we will continue to enforce our own laws.”

He recalled President Biden’s announcement on November 6, allocating nearly $485 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the needs of refugees, migrants, and vulnerable populations in Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr. Eric explained, “The funding aligns with the goals of the Los Angeles Declaration on Migration and Protection, endorsed by many countries in the Americas last June. The declaration aims to foster responsibility-sharing, provide stability and assistance to affected communities, expand lawful pathways, and promote humane migration management policies.”

Blas Nunez-Neto, in his opening remarks, informed that since May 12th, over 380,000 individuals encountered trying to enter the United States unlawfully or without authorization have been removed or returned. He noted that this represents a record over the specified time frame. “As part of that effort, we have initiated repatriation flights directly from the United States to Venezuela, responding to a significant and unprecedented movement of individuals through the Darién between Panama and Colombia to our border with Mexico.”

He continued, “Individuals returned to Venezuela have undergone screening for refoulement and other purposes, having failed to establish a legal basis to remain in the United States. We recently operated our fourth repatriation flight to Venezuela and will continue these flights in the future.”

Mr. Nunez added that since January of this year, over 324,000 individuals have been admitted at the land border through the CBP One mobile application, providing those in Mexico a safe and orderly means to access the United States. Additionally, almost 270,000 nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela have been admitted through humanitarian parole processes, beginning in the United States with a U.S.-based supporter who commits to providing financial and other support. Once cleared through robust national security and public safety vetting, these individuals are allowed to book travel to the United States.