Since fiscal 2021, more than 485,000 Haitian illegal border crossers, a record, have been reported by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The overwhelming majority were reported this fiscal year, nearly 216,000, compared to 48,727 in fiscal 2021.
Since fiscal 2021 through August, the majority have been apprehended at the southwest border of nearly 262,000, followed by nearly 221,000 nationwide and nearly 2,300 at the northern border, according to the data.
Additionally, since July, 205,000 Haitians have been released through the CHNV parole program, according to CBP data. Of the more than 765,000 illegal foreign nationals released into the country through the CBP One app, the top nationality is Haitian.Through these programs, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas also extended Temporary Permanent Status to them and granted work authorization.
All of these programs are illegal, state attorneys general who've sued to stop them, argue. U.S. House Republicans also cited them as among the many illegal actions Mayorkas caused them to impeach him. Mayorkas has since only expanded the programs and extended TPS.
When responding to the Haitian influx, local officials claim Haitians are there to work and are contributing to society despite claims by residents to the contrary.
The city of Springfield claims a "surge in our population over the last several years, primarily due to an influx of legal immigrants," suggesting that Springfield "is an appealing place for many reasons including lower cost of living and available work."
Springfield Mayor Bob Rue has said "my hands are tied in many ways" about the influx of Haitians, pointing to a designation they were given by the Biden-Harris administration. The TPS program "came from the White House and is a Homeland Security policy," he said at a recent city commission meeting.
Springfield residents have argued the overwhelming majority of Haitians are enrolling in welfare and not working; have caused increased crime andthere aren't enough police to deal with it; and residents are being killed by Haitian drivers. Rue has expressed concerns about the dangerous driving conditions, saying, "I have almost been hit myself."
