U.S. officials are reporting that the Biden administration may force illegal aliens to remain in Texas while awaiting asylum screening.
Three U.S. officials—who were not authorized to speak publicly about the issue—told the Los Angeles Times that the Biden administration has been considering a new plan to curb the rampant flow of illegal immigration through the southern border.
According to the officials, the proposal would force illegal aliens to remain in Texas—or other border states—by tracking their location through GPS monitoring devices, like ankle bracelets, while they undergo asylum screening. Officials have said they would work with local organizations to provide housing for families who remain close to the border.
If implemented, the plan would expand on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Family Expedited Removal Management (FERM) program. The program places illegal alien families under a strict curfew and requires at least one family member to wear a GPS monitoring device.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told Fox News that the Biden administration is “committed to expanding safe and orderly pathways for migrants to lawfully enter the United States, while imposing consequences to those who fail to use those pathways.”
However, previous proposals and plans by DHS have yet to curb illegal immigration on the southern border.
Texas Scorecard has reported that border patrol agents encountered 183,503 illegal aliens in July, rising almost 40,000 from June, which saw 144,566 encounters.
The new plan comes as Texas is facing a legal challenge from the Biden administration over how to deal with the southern border and illegal immigration.
In July, Abbott ordered the installation of marine barriers placed in the Rio Grande River, starting in Eagle Pass. He intended to protect border counties and “deter illegal border crossings between ports of entry.”
Three weeks later, the U.S. Department of Justice filed for an injunction to remove the border buoys, claiming the barriers violated the Rivers and Harbors Act and posed an immediate threat to navigation and public safety.
A federal judge initially ruled that Texas must move the border buoys because the barriers inhibit public safety, navigation, and federal operations. However, later the same day, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals moved to temporarily allow the buoys to stay up as they consider the case.
Cary Cheshire, executive director for Texans for Strong Borders, said the new plan is another way the Biden administration continues to wage war on Texas.
“Joe Biden and his Democrat administration continue to escalate in their war on Texas,” said Cheshire. “First he refused to enforce the law and secure the border, then he took Texas to court over border barriers, and now Joe Biden wants illegal aliens to remain in our state. Gov. Greg Abbott must reject this lawlessness.”
As of publication, Abbott has not responded to Texas Scorecard’s request for comment.
