New GOP Bill Pushes For Stricter Migrant Detention Under Potential Trump Leadership

May 18, 2024

Plans are being forged to overhaul U.S. immigration enforcement methods significantly.

Under the new "Reshape Alternatives to Detention (ATD) Act," introduced by Senator Bill Hagerty and Representative Byron Donalds, there's a push to make extensive use of detention facilities and GPS tracking for migrants, Breitbart reported.

Amid rising concerns over immigration management, Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) proposed legislation to address what they see as flaws in the current system. Their bill criticizes the reduced reliance on detention under President Joe Biden's administration and suggests a shift back towards more stringent enforcement strategies.

Vocal Republican Criticism of Biden's Immigration Policies

The legislation mandates that the Department of Homeland Security use all available spaces to detain migrants arriving at the southern U.S. border. Additionally, it argues for a systematic overhaul of the existing Alternatives to Detention (ATD) program by introducing mandatory GPS monitoring to replace the current lenient procedures.

Sen. Hagerty's statements sharply condemn the current administration. "The Biden Administration has allowed a tidal wave of illegal aliens to come across our southern border...This undermines our national security," he stated, citing mismanagement of both detention and monitoring of migrants.

Expanding Detention and Enhancing Surveillance

Representative Donalds vehemently opposes the Biden administration's approach, accusing it of breaking the immigration system through broad executive actions. This reflects a significant political divide in immigration enforcement philosophy in the U.S.

To address overcrowding, the proposal suggests that once detention spaces are full, the remaining arrivals should be enrolled in the ATD program with newly required GPS monitoring.

Looming Challenges for Sanctuary Jurisdictions

Tom Homan, former Acting Director of ICE, stressed the need to effectively use legal mechanisms for proper immigration control. He highlighted the importance of expeditiously employing Title 8 to remove migrants who do not meet the legal criteria for staying in the country.

In Breitbart News, Homan stated, "First, Title 8 should be used expeditiously to expel migrants found not lawful to be in the country...Migrants need to understand that illegal entry has consequences, and it's crucial to use our laws as they were intended." The proposed legislation also calls for increased cooperation with local law enforcement, seeking alerts from them about migrants who disappear from the ATD program and imposing limitations on migrants destined for sanctuary jurisdictions.

New Bill, Broad Support Among GOP

The bill terminates the Biden administration's Case Management Pilot Program and Young Adult Case Management Program, redirecting funds to bolster detention facilities. RJ Hauman, head of the National Immigration Center for Enforcement (NICE), strongly supports these changes, criticizing the current administration's perceived leniency and ineffective handling of immigration monitoring programs.

Political Repercussions and Future Implications

Advocates for expansive deportation policies, including former President Donald Trump, favor this legislation. Recent polls suggest significant public support for stricter immigration laws among Americans. RJ Hauman at NICE supports the Reshape ATD Act, criticizing the Biden Administration's handling of ATD and emphasizing the need to restore respect for immigration laws and secure the country from unauthorized entries.

Moreover, this legislative approach carries significant political implications, aligning with broader conservative national security and law enforcement priorities. It underscores a critical debate over balancing humane treatment of migrants with enforcing U.S. immigration laws.

In conclusion, the proposed Reshape Alternatives to Detention Act by Sen. Bill Hagerty and Rep. Byron Donalds represents a significant shift towards robust immigration enforcement strategies. This includes utilizing all available detention facilities, mandatory GPS tracking of migrants, and stringent actions against rule violators. The bill also plans to cut current administration programs to fund these efforts, prioritizing strict immigration enforcement over leniency.