Fact Check: Did the Biden administration fly illegals all over the country

Did the Biden Administration Fly Illegals All Over the Country?

Introduction

The claim that the Biden administration has been flying undocumented immigrants across the United States has gained traction in political discourse, particularly among certain lawmakers and media outlets. This assertion suggests that the administration is facilitating the movement of "illegals" through domestic flights, which some critics argue is a mismanagement of immigration policy. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this claim, critically assessing the sources and the context in which they were produced.

What We Know

1. Government Reports and Statements: A report from the House Committee on Homeland Security indicates that the Biden administration has implemented a "mass-parole scheme" that allegedly allowed for the transportation of hundreds of thousands of inadmissible aliens within the U.S. This report cites documents obtained after a subpoena was issued to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 1.

2. Political Responses: Various political figures, including U.S. Representative Ralph Norman and Senator Katie Britt, have publicly criticized the Biden administration for its immigration policies, claiming that approximately 520,000 undocumented immigrants were flown into the U.S. interior between January 2023 and July 2024 24.

3. Legal Actions: Missouri's Attorney General has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration seeking answers regarding the alleged flights of undocumented immigrants into Missouri, further indicating that this issue has reached legal scrutiny 8.

4. TSA Policies: Reports have surfaced that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has allowed undocumented immigrants to use arrest warrants as valid identification to board flights, which has raised concerns about security and immigration enforcement 9.

5. White House Responses: The Biden administration has issued statements highlighting their efforts to manage border security and reduce illegal crossings, claiming significant decreases in illegal immigration 37. However, these statements often emphasize enforcement measures rather than addressing the specific claims about domestic flights.

Analysis

The claim that the Biden administration is flying undocumented immigrants across the country is supported by several sources, but the reliability and motivations of these sources vary significantly.

1. Source Credibility: The House Committee on Homeland Security's report is an official document, which lends it a degree of credibility. However, it is important to note that this committee is controlled by Republicans, which may introduce a partisan bias in how the information is presented 1.

2. Political Commentary: Statements from politicians like Ralph Norman and Katie Britt should be viewed with caution, as they may have political agendas that influence their portrayal of the situation 24. Their claims, while based on reports, may also be designed to mobilize political support against the Biden administration.

3. Legal Context: The lawsuit filed by Missouri's Attorney General adds a layer of legal scrutiny to the issue, but it is also essential to consider the motivations behind such legal actions, which may be politically charged 8.

4. TSA Policy: The TSA's policy allowing undocumented immigrants to use arrest warrants as ID is a factual claim that raises significant questions about security and immigration enforcement. However, the implications of this policy are complex and may not directly correlate with the broader claim about flying undocumented immigrants across the country 9.

5. Contradicting Information: The Biden administration's own statements regarding border security and reductions in illegal crossings suggest a more nuanced picture than the claim implies 37. This discrepancy highlights the need for careful interpretation of the data and claims being made.

Conclusion

Verdict: Partially True

The assertion that the Biden administration has been flying undocumented immigrants across the country is partially true, as there is evidence suggesting that some transportation of undocumented individuals has occurred under specific policies. Reports from the House Committee on Homeland Security and statements from political figures indicate that a significant number of undocumented immigrants may have been moved within the U.S. However, the context and motivations behind these claims are complex and often politically charged.

The evidence is not definitive, as it relies heavily on partisan sources and interpretations that may not fully capture the administration's broader immigration policies and enforcement measures. Additionally, the TSA's policy regarding identification for boarding flights raises questions but does not directly confirm the broader claim of mass transportation of undocumented immigrants.

It is crucial to acknowledge the limitations in the available evidence and the potential biases of the sources involved. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider multiple perspectives when assessing claims related to immigration and government actions.

Sources

1. Committee on Homeland Security. "Documents Reveal Airports Used by Secretary Mayorkas to Fly Hundreds of Thousands of Inadmissible Aliens into U.S. Via CHNV Mass-Parole Scheme." Link
2. U.S. Representative Ralph Norman. "Biden's DHS Flying Thousands of Illegal Immigrants to the US." Link
3. The White House. "PROMISES MADE, PROMISES KEPT: Border Security Achieved in Fewer Than 100 Days." Link
4. Senator Katie Britt. "U.S. Senator Katie Britt Demands Biden-Harris Admin End Illegal Parole Program Flying Migrants into U.S. Interior." Link
5. Committee on Homeland Security. "Fiscal Year 2024 Ends With Nearly 3 Million Inadmissible Encounters." Link
6. Senator Hagerty. "Senate Democrats Vote Against Hagerty's Amendment." Link
7. The White House. "Border & Immigration." Link
8. Missouri Attorney General's Office. "Attorney General Bailey Files Suit Against Biden Administration to Obtain Answers About Illegal Immigrant Flights into Missouri." Link
9. Congressman Roger Williams. "Biden TSA Gives Illegals Freedom to Fly." Link
10. The White House. "FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Border Enforcement Actions." Link