The Biden administration is reportedly allowing as many as 650,000 criminal migrants and suspects to remain in American communities, including over 13,000 convicted murderers and more than 222,000 migrants facing criminal charges, according to data revealed by Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX).
Fox News, which obtained the information, reports that 425,431 of these individuals have prior criminal convictions, with 13,099 convicted of homicide and not in detention.
In addition to those convicted, 222,141 migrants are currently facing criminal charges, including 1,845 for homicide. Despite having the capacity to hold 41,000 detainees, the administration has chosen not to fully utilize its detention facilities.
The data shows that while 15,000 migrant criminals are currently jailed, this includes only 277 convicted murderers and 51 migrants facing murder charges. It also highlights that 17,000 migrants have been convicted or charged with sexual offenses.
The term “noncitizens” in the report refers to illegal migrants, those who have overstayed visas, and green card holders who are eligible for deportation if the administration dedicates the necessary resources. Many of these individuals remain in the country because they have completed their sentences but have not been deported.
This issue presents a significant political challenge for Vice President Kamala Harris, who is set to deliver a speech touting a “tough” border policy. Harris has previously distanced herself from managing migration policy, leaving control in the hands of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.
Since 2021, Mayorkas has reportedly reduced the detention and deportation of migrants, including criminal offenders, as part of an approach that aligns with the Biden administration’s economic strategy, which some argue incentivizes the hiring of lower-wage migrant labor over American workers.