On April 24, 2023, the Republicans introduced “Border Reinforcement Act of 2023” that is popularly referred to as the GOP border bill. The plain reading of the title suggests that the bill covers provisions relating to the border crisis; however, the deeper reading of provisions within this bill raise alarms that go beyond security's scope and disturb immigration fabric of US because if enacted into law this bill would punish all noncitizens, including legal residents, trafficking victims and refugees.
The bill includes provisions that would bar any nongovernmental organization that provides services to noncitizens from receiving federal funding through the Department of Homeland Security. The bill would deny funding to organizations that have nothing to do with border security such as charitable organizations that offer food, shelter and medical care to people whose lives are at risk. Rep. Robert Garcia, D-Calif was quick to point out that the provision as written would defund organizations like Catholic Charities, U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Episcopal Migration Services, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society and Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services. The bill in its current shape, if left unamended, would significantly impact and jeopardize funds to assist human trafficking victims and disaster survivors.
Vijay Bhagwati, Esq.
Founder and Managing Partner
