President Joe Biden’s reported plan to settle cases brought by civil rights groups on behalf of illegal aliens has met immense backlash.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) last week reported that the Biden administration is considering paying in compensation up to $450,000 per illegal alien who was separated from their family under former President Donald Trump’s “zero tolerance policy.”
Advocates of the former administration’s anti-illegal immigration policy contend that the measure was necessary so as to not detain minors and adults in the same holding area. Additionally, the policy was enacted as a safety measure to ensure children were not in the hands of smugglers.
U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has taken issue with the president’s reported plan, noting that the families of servicemembers who are killed while serving the nation are compensated less than illegal border crossers would be under the taxpayer-funded settlement.
“$400,000 is the maximum amount a military family receives through service member life insurance benefits should they lose a loved one in the line of duty,” advised Tuberville. “$250,000 is the maximum amount paid to 9/11 victims who contracted cancer after surviving one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. President Biden wants to pay illegal immigrants more.”
He added, “I would like to know how this administration can justify such astronomical settlements while their failed policies continue to erode American values and diminish the enforcement of U.S. law. It is nothing short of shameful.”
When asked during a press conference earlier this week about the validity of the report, Biden denied his administration is planning such settlements.
However, in an effort to ensure such a plan is not enacted, Senate Republicans have introduced an amendment to the fiscal year 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to block any attempt by the federal government to partake in a cash settlement to illegal immigrants.
Tuberville was among the members of the Senate Republican Caucus to assist in the amendment’s introduction.
The Biden administration’s reported payout could reach up to $1 billion worth of taxpayer dollars, according to WSJ.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
