The Biden administration’s mishandling of immigration cases is causing serious repercussions for the American people. According to a report by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), approximately 200,000 deportation cases have been thrown out because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) failed to file the required “Notice to Appear” (NTA) in a timely manner. This negligence on the part of the DHS is a clear failure of their duty to enforce immigration laws.
The NTA is a crucial step in the immigration enforcement process as it outlines the reasons why an immigrant should be deported and serves as a formal request for an immigration judge to issue a removal order. Without this document, immigrants are left in legal limbo, unable to make an asylum claim or obtain work permits. This not only undermines the rule of law but also puts a strain on the American economy and job market.
TRAC’s report reveals that the problem of failing to file NTAs became more prevalent once Border Patrol agents and other DHS personnel were given access to the immigration court’s scheduling system. This led to cases being scheduled without the necessary documentation, wasting valuable time and resources. With over 3.5 million pending immigration cases, this inefficiency is unacceptable.
The impact of this negligence is felt across the country, but Houston and Miami seem to be the most affected areas, accounting for over 50% of the dismissed cases since Fiscal Year 2021. This situation has persisted into 2024, with court dismissals for lack of an NTA peaking in 2022 before slightly decreasing in 2023.
The Biden administration’s failure to address this issue and ensure the proper filing of NTAs is a disservice to the American people. It is clear that their lax approach to immigration enforcement is causing significant problems and leaving communities vulnerable to the consequences of illegal immigration.
It is essential for the DHS to take immediate action to rectify this situation. The American people deserve a government that prioritizes their safety and upholds the rule of law. The Biden administration must address these failures and ensure that immigration cases are handled properly and efficiently. Anything less is a betrayal of the American people and a dereliction of duty.
