Congress has failed on immigration

OPINION:

It is common knowledge that our southern border is not secure. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security allow (and even facilitate) the entry of unvetted, unvaccinated thousands. The exact number is unknown since ICE has stopped gathering the data.

Why? Because the number is outrageously large and politically untenable to the public.

Most immigrants claim asylum because they know that by doing so they get into the U.S. at least until their cases can be heard. But by and large, that will never happen. The courts have years of backlog, which gets bigger with every passing day.

Immigrants are bused and flown all over the U.S. They are given phones, shelter and food. They attend our schools and go to our hospitals, largely unable to pay for any of it. But we pay for it — by printing more money as U.S. inflation and debt surges.

The sad fact is that this has been going on for decades. It’s just that now there are an unprecedented number of immigrants at our doorstep from all over the world. Congress has failed us by not solving this issue long ago. Administrations and party majorities come and go, yet no solution arrives.

Congress must act now. This situation is economically, morally and legally unsustainable. Both parties in Congress are to blame. I urge all to demand more of our representatives, demand they do their job sand stop blaming each other. Can you hear me, Sen. Chris Coons?

CHARLES EARY

Selbyville, Delaware