Matt Gaetz Introduces Legislation To Deport All Illegal Aliens in US Custody During Pandemic
Richard Moorhead
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Congressman Matt Gaetz has introduced legislation to deport all illegal aliens held in federal custody during federally recognized epidemic such as the ongoing coronavirus emergency.
Gaetz broke down the case for what he’s calling the PANDEMIC Act in a statement provided to Fox News on Wednesday.
“It is unconscionable that at a time when we should be working together as Americans, Democrats are working to socially engineer our country and advance their legislative priorities,” Gaetz said. “The PANDEMIC Act puts Americans first by requiring that all illegal aliens be deported during a pandemic, ensuring our resources are used to benefit and protect American citizens.”
Gaetz is framing his proposal as a response to a recent jailbreak initiative spearheaded by Democrats to free all illegal immigrants in federal custody. Pramila Jayapal and Cory Booker are claiming that the illegals in ICE custody need to be freed in order to escape the risk of the coronavirus spreading in the immigration detention facilities.
Minnesota progressive Ilhan Omar has also requested that ICE suspend all deportations during the coronavirus crisis, opening the border to illegal travel in an era of a global pandemic.
Gaetz’ proposal would instead ensure they’re returned to their home country, allowing illegal immigrants to avoid the risks of contracting the disease in federal custody. It would also allow the government to preserve resources necessary to protect in the public that would otherwise be used for immigration detention.
Strict enforcement since the onset of the coronavirus epidemic has largely ground illegal immigration to a halt, suggesting such an approach may prove to be successful after the disease is contained. Customs and Border Patrol have promptly expelled more than 10,000 illegal border crossers since the onset of the emergency, leaving the detention facilities of the federal agencies with less than 100 inmates.
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