Democrat and Republican lawmakers in a battleground state are expressing concern after a group of five illegal immigrants were flown from New York to Kalispell, Montana. The migrants, reportedly from Venezuela, were dropped off at Glacier Park International Airport and provided housing in the city. This incident is just one example of migrants being transported to Montana by nonprofits connected with the Biden Administration. Law enforcement officials and lawmakers in Montana are calling for an end to this practice, as they believe it is putting a strain on the state’s resources.
Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana, criticized the Biden Administration for the influx of illegal immigrants into the state, stating that the border crisis is impacting law enforcement, schools, hospitals, and safety nets in Montana. Zinke has called for the immediate detention and deportation of the group of migrants who were flown into the state. He has also written a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas requesting information on how the migrants ended up in Montana and their journey from the southern border.
Senator Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana, is working with state officials to monitor the situation. He believes that allowing individuals to enter the country illegally compromises national security and undermines the legal immigration process. Senator Steve Daines, a Republican from Montana, blamed President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats for failing to secure the border, leading to the situation in Montana. Governor Greg Gianforte and Rep. Matt Rosendale, both Republicans from Montana, have also expressed frustration and called for accountability from the Biden Administration.
Republican Senate candidate and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy criticized his Democratic opponent for his role in allowing illegal migrant flights to continue. Sheehy called for action to stop the influx of migrants and to prioritize border security. This incident in Montana comes shortly after reports of a separate parole program for migrants that allowed approximately 200,000 migrants to fly into the U.S. between January and August 2023. The House Homeland Security Committee subpoenaed information about this program, revealing that migrants have flown into multiple cities as part of the initiative for Cuban, Haitian, Nicaraguan, and Venezuelan migrants.
The situation in Montana highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding illegal immigration and border security in the United States. Lawmakers from both parties are expressing concern about the impact of illegal immigration on their state’s resources and national security. They are calling for stronger enforcement measures and for the Biden Administration to address the issues that are fueling the migrant crisis. The involvement of nonprofits in transporting migrants to various states has raised questions about the lack of transparency and accountability in the immigration process. Efforts to secure the border and strengthen immigration policies continue to be a key focus for lawmakers and officials at both the state and federal levels.
