House Republicans Slam USCIS Chief Over Fraud Allegations and Immigration Failures

WhatsAppWhatsAppFacebookFacebookTwitterTwitterPinterestPinterestRedditRedditGmailGmailShareShare

House Republicans intensified their scrutiny of Ur Jaddou, the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), during a heated Judiciary Committee hearing. They accused her and the Biden administration of fostering mass illegal immigration and mismanaging a humanitarian parole program riddled with fraud.

Criticism of USCIS Leadership

“You totally blew it,” declared Rep. Troy Nehls of Texas, voicing frustration at what he called a betrayal of the agency’s mission. USCIS is responsible for overseeing lawful immigration into the United States, but under Jaddou’s leadership, critics claim it has veered off course.

Nehls continued his fiery critique, stating, “The American people are sick and tired, and you should all be fired. Well, you will be shortly because the American people said, ‘We ain’t going to tolerate this anymore.’”

Rep. Tom McClintock, chair of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, echoed Nehls’ sentiments. He attributed declining real wages for working families to policies overseen by USCIS, which he argued have flooded the labor market with unauthorized workers. “If anyone wonders why real wages for working families have declined under this administration, look no further than the agency before us today,” McClintock said.

He also criticized the agency’s failure to conduct credible fear interviews before releasing migrants into the U.S. “How do you explain that?” he asked Jaddou, pressing her for accountability.

USCIS Funding and Operational Issues

Jaddou defended her agency, citing chronic underfunding as a significant challenge. USCIS primarily operates on fees collected from applicants, but Jaddou claimed these resources were no longer sufficient.

McClintock dismissed this explanation, arguing that before the borders were opened under the Biden administration, these fees were adequate to manage the agency’s workload. “Under your administration, they’re not,” he said, suggesting mismanagement rather than resource scarcity was to blame.

Controversy Over the CHNV Parole Program

The hearing focused heavily on the Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans (CHNV) parole program, which the Biden administration initiated in January 2023. The program permits up to 30,000 migrants from these countries to enter the U.S. monthly. While intended to provide temporary entry under exigent circumstances, critics allege it has been exploited for mass admissions.

McClintock accused the administration of transforming the program into a tool for illegal chain migration. “They took a parole authority that required case-by-case review of individual exigent circumstances… and turned it into a fraud-ridden, mass admission of more than half a million migrants,” he said.

The program was temporarily paused in July due to fraud concerns but was reinstated shortly after. The subcommittee’s November report revealed that over 530,000 migrants entered the U.S. through the program.

Fraud Allegations and Lax Vetting

Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan confronted Jaddou about allegations of widespread fraud within the CHNV program. He pointed out that the program allows migrants to sponsor other migrants, a practice he argued undermines its integrity. Jaddou acknowledged this, admitting that while 86% of sponsors are U.S. citizens or lawful residents, questions remain about the remaining 14%.

Rep. Andy Biggs of Arizona went further, citing evidence of systemic abuse. “Hundreds of applications used the same Social Security number, email address, and zip code,” Biggs said. “This program is rife with fraud.” He criticized USCIS for failing to address these issues despite pausing the program earlier in the year.

Broader Concerns About Immigration Policy

Rep. Wesley Hunt of Texas accused the Biden administration of circumventing legal pathways to mask the crisis at the border. “Do you know how you reduce illegal immigration, according to the left? It’s simple. You make illegal immigration legal,” Hunt said.

Hunt alleged that the administration had expanded parole’s intended use to inflate legal immigration numbers artificially. “Biden was upset that the American people were complaining about the increase in illegal immigration at the border,” Hunt said. “So, what did he do? He legalized illegal immigration by expanding parole.”

Jaddou’s Defense

Throughout the hearing, Jaddou maintained that USCIS is fulfilling its duties, including managing the CHNV program as part of a broader border strategy. “It cannot work alone,” she said, emphasizing the need for enforcement and management measures to work in tandem.

She also highlighted that the CHNV program is just one component of the administration’s approach to border management. However, Republicans remained unconvinced, arguing that the agency’s actions have undermined U.S. immigration laws and strained public resources.

The heated exchange underscored deep divisions over immigration policy in the U.S. With Republicans pushing for stricter enforcement and greater oversight, the Biden administration faces growing pressure to address allegations of fraud and mismanagement. As public frustration mounts, the future of programs like CHNV—and USCIS itself—remains uncertain.

Yasmin Alta

Recent Posts

PMAY for Workers: Affordable Housing Scheme, Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

It can be difficult for the blue collar population of India like daily wage earners, laborers and lower income employees…

July 19, 2025

PM-KUSUM 2025: Solar Power Scheme for Farmers – Components, Subsidies & Eligibility Explained

What Is PM-KUSUM?  The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) scheme was launched in 2019 for multiple…

July 19, 2025

Big Update for Private Workers: EPF Pension May Rise to INR 2,000 Monthly – Check Details

Employees in the private sector working under the Employees’ Pension Scheme (EPS‑95) of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) are…

July 19, 2025

ETIAS 2026: €20 Entry Fee for Visa Free Travelers from US, UK, Canada & More – Full Details Inside

Travelers from nations such as Canada, UK, USA, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and other visa free countries will soon be…

July 19, 2025

PKVY 2025- Benefits, Eligibility & Support for Organic Farmers and Agricultural Workers

As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India is heading towards a continuing journey in sustainable agriculture. One of the…

July 18, 2025

Ayushman Bharat Health Card for Workers: INR 5 Lakh Free Treatment, Eligibility, Benefits & How to Apply

What is Ayushman Bharat Health Card for Workers? The Ayushman Bharat Health Card is a part of Ayushman Bharat -…

July 18, 2025