Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has criticized Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas for welcoming illegal immigrants to the city to work under Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ illegal immigrant parole program. Bailey cited an incident where an illegal immigrant from Venezuela, who had been granted a work permit under Mayorkas’ policy, murdered a young college student. Despite this, Mayor Lucas extended an open invitation for all seeking refuge in Kansas City, prompting Bailey to warn of the real-world consequences of open border policies. Bailey emphasized that Missouri law prohibits businesses from hiring or employing illegal immigrants and stated his office would take legal action against violators.
Bailey expressed concern that the illegal immigrant parole program created by Secretary Mayorkas unlawfully creates a pathway to citizenship for hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants from various countries. He warned Mayor Lucas that the open invitation for illegal aliens to come to Missouri not only poses a danger but also comes at a great expense to Missouri taxpayers, residents, and business owners. Bailey pointed out that the invitation for illegal immigrants violates Missouri law and exposes businesses to legal liability. He announced that Missouri would join 19 other state attorney generals in suing Mayorkas over his “disastrous” program.
Senator Josh Hawley also criticized Secretary Mayorkas during a fiery testimony to the Senate for releasing an illegal immigrant from Venezuela who is now charged with the murder of a Georgia nursing student. Hawley revealed that the illegal immigrant had been given a work permit despite having a criminal record and previous charges against him expunged. Hawley, along with other Republican lawmakers, grilled Mayorkas on his handling of the parole program and the release of dangerous individuals into the country illegally. The Biden administration initially announced the parole program for Venezuelans, expanding it to include other nationalities and allowing thousands to enter the U.S. monthly.
Bailey’s letter to Mayor Lucas came as a response to Lucas’ social media post welcoming all to Kansas City, regardless of their immigration status. Bailey criticized Lucas for ignoring the implications of Secretary Mayorkas’ policies and urged for responsible leadership that considers the safety and well-being of residents and businesses in Missouri. Bailey emphasized that allowing and welcoming illegal immigrants into the state violates state laws and puts businesses at risk of legal actions. He stood firm on the commitment to take legal action against anyone found to be in violation of these statutes.
The backlash against Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden administration’s parole program for illegal immigrants has been mounting, with lawmakers voicing their concerns over the release of dangerous individuals into the U.S. The murder of a young college student by an individual granted a work permit under the program has raised alarm bells about the potential risks associated with such policies. The legal challenges from multiple state attorney generals and the testimony from Senator Hawley highlight the growing opposition to the administration’s handling of immigration issues and the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws.
Overall, the situation underscores the complexities and challenges associated with immigration policies, particularly in the context of illegal immigration and border security. The conflicting opinions and actions of political leaders, the legal implications of welcoming illegal immigrants, and the potential risks posed by lenient immigration policies all contribute to a contentious debate. As the legal battles and political tensions continue to unfold, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and what impact they will have on communities, businesses, and individuals affected by immigration policies.
