Senator Marsha Blackburn, US Senator for Tennessee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
Senator Marsha Blackburn, US Senator for Tennessee | Official U.S. Senate headshot
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn has reintroduced two legislative measures focused on enhancing border security. The proposed bills, the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal (CLEAR) Act and the Make the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) Mandatory Act, aim to involve local law enforcement in deporting criminal illegal aliens and to reinstate the "Remain in Mexico" policy.
Senator Blackburn criticized President Biden's immigration policies, stating, "During his time in office, President Biden rolled back the successful Remain in Mexico program, invited millions of illegal immigrants to flood our southern border, and refused to enforce the laws on the books." She added that both bills would bolster border security and address legal violations.
Representative Roger Williams is spearheading efforts to introduce the Make MPP Mandatory Act in the House. He expressed concerns about public safety under current policies: "Biden’s first action upon taking office four years ago was to reverse President Trump’s ‘Remain in Mexico’ policy. The consequences have proven deadly." Williams emphasized that his bill aims to ensure those awaiting court dates remain outside U.S. borders.
The CLEAR Act seeks to empower state and local governments by reaffirming their authority to enforce federal immigration laws. It stipulates that jurisdictions prohibiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement would lose access to certain federal funds. The act also requires detailed reporting of apprehended aliens' information and mandates grants for enforcing immigration laws.
The Make MPP Mandatory Act focuses on reinstating protocols established by DHS in 2019, which involved returning migrants to Mexico while they awaited court hearings. This policy aimed at ending catch-and-release practices was suspended early in President Biden's term.
Both pieces of legislation are co-sponsored by several Republican senators including Steve Daines, Jim Risch, Mike Crapo, Mike Rounds, Tim Sheehy, Jerry Moran, and Thom Tillis.
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