WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) reintroduced two bills aimed at strengthening border security: the Clear Law Enforcement for Criminal Alien Removal (CLEAR) Act, which would ensure state and local law enforcement officials have the tools to help the federal government deport criminal illegal aliens, and the Make the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) Mandatory Act, which would reinstate the “Remain in Mexico” program.

“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,” said Senator Blackburn. “President Biden’s failure to lead permitted lawlessness across the country and resulted in the murder of innocent Americans like Laken Riley. Both the CLEAR Act and the Make MPP Mandatory Act would strengthen border security and crack down on those who break our laws.” 

Representative Roger Williams (R-Texas) led the effort to introduce the Make MPP Mandatory Act in the House:

“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,” said Representative Williams. “For too long, dangerous criminals have been set free in the United States while waiting for their day in court. Bad actors exploit the system and disappear, never to be seen again. With violence, murder, drug smuggling, and cartel activity terrorizing our communities, now more than ever we must be aware of who is in our country. My bill lays the groundwork to restore law and order and secure our nation by federally mandating that those awaiting a court date do so from their country of origin. We are a land of laws, it’s time we act like it and put the safety of Americans first.”

Senators Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) co-sponsored the Make MPP Mandatory Act.

• The CLEAR Act reaffirms the authority of state and local governments to enforce federal immigration laws by apprehending, detaining, or transferring illegal immigrants to federal custody. Any state or locality that prohibits state law enforcement from working with federal immigration law enforcement cannot receive certain federal funds.

• Under the bill, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must also provide the National Crime Information Center at the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with information about any illegal alien who:

• Has a final order of removal issued against them;
• Has signed a voluntary departure agreement;
• Has overstayed their period of stay; or
• Has a revoked visa. 

• States and localities must provide DHS (who in turn must submit a report to Congress) with certain information about every alien apprehended in their state, including:

• The alien’s name;
• The alien’s address;
• A physical description of the alien; and
• The date, time, and location of the encounter with the alien and reason for stopping, detaining, or arresting the alien.

• Under this legislation, DHS must also provide grants to states and localities to assist them in enforcing immigration laws; construct or acquire increased space for detention facilities; take illegal aliens into custody within 48 hours after receiving a request from a state or locality; establish a training manual for state and local law enforcement on the enforcement of immigration laws; and continue and expand the Institutional Removal Program for identifying removable criminal aliens in federal and state correctional facilities.

Click here for bill text.

• In January 2019, DHS instituted the successful Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), which ended the failed policies of catch and release and restored orderly processing of illegal immigrants.

• Under this policy, upon arrival at the border, migrants were issued Notices to Appear for an immigration court hearing at a later date and returned to Mexico.

• While migrants awaited their hearing, Mexico agreed to provide humanitarian aid under the U.S.-Mexico Joint Declaration and Supplementary Agreement.

• President Biden backtracked on these treaty obligations when he suspended the program on his second day in office. 

Click here for bill text.